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

Should you visit Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chartres and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Chartres 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Santiago de Compostela are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santiago de Compostela has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Santiago de Compostela can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Chartres or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chartres and Santiago de Compostela make for a notable place to visit.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

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.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Chartres or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres 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.

Chartres has some very good public transit options. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

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 Chartres or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Chartres and Santiago de Compostela are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town 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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

The historic destination of Chartres 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Santiago de Compostela. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres 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 the autumn, Chartres is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums 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 Chartres. In January, Chartres is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

Chartres is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Chartres