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

Should you visit Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Bern or Santiago de Compostela? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Bern. While Bern is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Bern attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Bern and is known 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 well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern 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 Bern. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santiago de Compostela makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Santiago de Compostela is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

Is Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

Both Bern and Santiago de Compostela are high quality shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Bern is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Santiago de Compostela offers lots of family activities. 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 Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city 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 Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Santiago de Compostela are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many 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.

Is Bern or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is well known for its public transit. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Bern has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that run around town.

While Santiago de Compostela offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Bern or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Bern and Santiago de Compostela both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable city. 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 Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Bern 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 Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

The city of Bern offers museums and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

The historic destination of Bern offers nightlife and food. This city 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the iconic destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Bern. 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.

The religious city of Santiago de Compostela offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern or Santiago de Compostela?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Santiago de Compostela. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In the summer, Bern is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Santiago de Compostela. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Bern