A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Avignon vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Santiago de Compostela. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a charming, scenic, and picturesque town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a religious, inspirational, and iconic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Avignon and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Avignon and Santiago de Compostela are roughly the same size, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its food and small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Avignon and is popular for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. It is also home to the Cathedral of Santiago. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Avignon different from Santiago de Compostela?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela and Avignon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll find a number of amazing museums and attractions in both Santiago de Compostela and Avignon.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Santiago de Compostela that are not to be missed. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Avignon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Avignon and Santiago de Compostela.

The old town of Avignon is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Santiago de Compostela offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its hiking and trekking. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santiago de Compostela. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Avignon and Santiago de Compostela are good family-friendly destinations.

Avignon is a family-friendly town. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santiago de Compostela. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Avignon is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Santiago de Compostela is a good town for couples to visit. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Santiago de Compostela. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Santiago de Compostela. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Avignon and Santiago de Compostela.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Santiago de Compostela, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Avignon or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Avignon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. In our opinion, Santiago de Compostela has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santiago de Compostela than Avignon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Santiago de Compostela. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Avignon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Avignon than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Avignon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Avignon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santiago de Compostela.

One day in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Avignon is a fun place to experience. Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avignon and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Santiago de Compostela.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Avignon Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Avignon and Santiago de Compostela, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Avignon during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Avignon is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the summer, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Avignon is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Avignon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Avignon usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Avignon is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Avignon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Avignon usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.

In April, Avignon is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Avignon usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Avignon