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

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a iconic, impressive, and spectacular destination. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cape Sounion and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Cape Sounion and Santiago de Compostela are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Cape Sounion is known for its beaches. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Cape Sounion 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. Cape Sounion is popular for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets.

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

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

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both Santiago de Compostela and Cape Sounion.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Cape Sounion has many famous sights for visitors. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Cape Sounion offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Beaches?

Cape Sounion is a popular place for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Cape Sounion is a good option for a beach vacation. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela.

Cape Sounion is a family-friendly destination. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cape Sounion and Santiago de Compostela make for a good place to visit.

Cape Sounion is a good destination for couples to visit. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

Santiago de Compostela is a nice destination for couples. 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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

Is Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion and Santiago de Compostela.

Cape Sounion has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Cape Sounion is somewhat walkable. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

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

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Cape Sounion. 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 Cape Sounion. 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

The destination of Cape Sounion offers museums and food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this destination has to offer.

In Santiago de Compostela, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this iconic city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

The spectacular destination of Cape Sounion offers food and museums. This destination offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Sounion. 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. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

Cape Sounion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Cape Sounion. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Cape Sounion during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cape Sounion because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In July, Cape Sounion is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 27°C (81°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 Cape Sounion. In the summer, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Santiago de Compostela. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Cape Sounion gets 206 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, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cape Sounion is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Sounion in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 143 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. Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Cape Sounion is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Cape Sounion gets 25 mm (1 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 Cape Sounion