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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt is known for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Frankfurt 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. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Santiago de Compostela has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela can be an enjoyable experience.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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.

Is Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela have great vibes after the sun sets.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

The people in Santiago de Compostela know how to have a good time. 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.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to see. 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 visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. 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.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Santiago de Compostela is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Both Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

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

Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela are both great destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Frankfurt is terrific for students. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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.

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

Frankfurt is terrific 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.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Frankfurt can take you anywhere. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela are great when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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.

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

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

How long in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

Frankfurt is a big city with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

Frankfurt is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Santiago de Compostela. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Frankfurt during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Frankfurt is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 19°C (67°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 Frankfurt. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Santiago de Compostela. The autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

Frankfurt is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 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, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Santiago de Compostela. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. In the winter, Frankfurt is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Frankfurt in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 41 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. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Frankfurt is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 10°C (50°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (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 Frankfurt