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

Should you visit Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Santiago de Compostela can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Galway and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway attracts visitors for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Galway and is known 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. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Galway and Santiago de Compostela.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Galway or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Around Santiago de Compostela visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Galway and Santiago de Compostela are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly city. 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 Galway or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Santiago de Compostela are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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

Both Galway and Santiago de Compostela are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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.

Is Galway or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Galway and Santiago de Compostela are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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.

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

Both Galway and Santiago de Compostela offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Santiago de Compostela has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Galway or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Galway and Santiago de Compostela both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable city. 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

The cultural destination of Galway 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the religious destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway or Santiago de Compostela?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Galway or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Galway as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Galway is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. It's quite rainy in Galway. In January, Galway usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Galway during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Galway