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

Should you visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

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.

Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Carcassonne 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 & sights, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Carcassonne 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. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Both Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

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

Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

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

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Carcassonne is a nice destination for couples. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Santiago de Compostela is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the inspirational city of Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

The medieval destination of Carcassonne offers food and museums. This town 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the iconic destination of Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

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

The historic city of Santiago de Compostela offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical 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 Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°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 Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. 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, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 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, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 88 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. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Carcassonne gets 56 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 Carcassonne