Which place is cheaper, Santiago de Compostela or Gran Canaria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gran Canaria 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.
Where Should I go: Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela?
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGran Canaria €125Santiago de Compostela €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €125, while the average daily cost in Santiago de Compostela is €91. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gran Canaria and Santiago de Compostela in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGran Canaria €63Santiago de Compostela €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGran Canaria €126Santiago de Compostela €74
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Santiago de Compostela
Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gran Canaria €46Santiago de Compostela €38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Buggy Tour of 2 hours in the afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $71
- El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
- From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $160
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from El Salobre to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $47
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $79
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $64
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from La Milagrosa to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Amadores: $61
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Anfí del Mar: $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Arrival Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela Airport to City Center by Minivan: $91
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $91
- Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
- Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $45
- Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela?
Prices for flights to both Santiago de Compostela and Gran Canaria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGran Canaria €34Santiago de Compostela €19
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
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Raspberries€3.50
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Ice Cream€2.00
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Cookie€1.00
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Kebab€7.25
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Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
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Tuna Empanada€3.50
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Fruit Shake€3.50
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Crepe€4.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gran Canaria €20Santiago de Compostela €39
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
- Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
- Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
- Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
- Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
- Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
- Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
- Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24
Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5-day Private Tour Northern Spain (from Bilbao or Santiago): $5,294
- Christmas Enchantment: Walking Tour in Compostela: $459
- Complete Santiago Tour with tickets- Full experience in 4H: $48
- Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
- Exploration of Compostela Walking Tour for Families: $352
- Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples: $352
- Finisterre y Costa da Morte el tour más completo desde Santiago: $53
- From Santiago: Finisterre Lighthouse Sunset Tour: $36
- From Santiago: Fuciño do Porco Hiking Tour: $80
- From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour: $59
- From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra Tour & Boat Trip: $61
- Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña- Cruisers Only: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGran Canaria €7.14Santiago de Compostela €23
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
- Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
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1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
- Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gran Canaria and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gran Canaria as well as Santiago de Compostela. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.
In July, Gran Canaria is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 23°C (73°F), 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 Gran Canaria this time of the year. In the summer, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.
Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGran Canaria 23°C (73°F)Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?
Both Santiago de Compostela and Gran Canaria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Gran Canaria gets 213 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, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGran Canaria 23°C (73°F)Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?
Both Santiago de Compostela and Gran Canaria during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Gran Canaria is much warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gran Canaria in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 187 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. Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGran Canaria 18°C (64°F)Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gran Canaria and Santiago de Compostela. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Gran Canaria is generally much warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 19°C (66°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gran Canaria usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Gran Canaria gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Gran Canaria gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGran Canaria 19°C (66°F)Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Gran Canaria
| Gran Canaria | Santiago de Compostela | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.