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

Should you visit Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Giverny 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. 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.

Giverny and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Giverny is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is well known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Santiago de Compostela is well known 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.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Giverny 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.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny 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 Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Giverny is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Giverny and Santiago de Compostela both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

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

Is Giverny or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

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

How long in Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

The peaceful destination of Giverny 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.

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Santiago de Compostela. The summer months attract visitors to Giverny 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.

Giverny is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Giverny 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 Giverny this time of the year. In the summer, Giverny often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Giverny gets 127 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, Giverny usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

In the winter, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Giverny gets 62 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. Giverny usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Giverny 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 Giverny or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

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

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

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Giverny usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Giverny gets 50 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 Giverny