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

Should you visit Caen 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 Caen 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.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a religious, inspirational, and iconic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Caen and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Caen and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Caen 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 well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Santiago de Compostela from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Caen and Santiago de Compostela.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santiago de Compostela. 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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Caen and Santiago de Compostela are nice family-friendly destinations.

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Caen and Santiago de Compostela both nice destinations for a couple.

Caen is a nice destination for couples. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Santiago de Compostela makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Caen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen 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.

Caen has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Santiago de Compostela is very walkable. 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

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

How long in Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

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

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

The city of Caen offers museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

The important destination of Caen offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 inspirational 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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

Caen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Caen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The inspirational 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 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 Caen and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Santiago de Compostela?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Caen 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 Caen 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 Caen or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Caen is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions. 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.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Caen gets 128 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. In October, Caen usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Caen is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 70 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. Caen usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Caen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 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 Caen