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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a quaint, energetic, and lively town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Heidelberg. While Heidelberg 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, hiking, and shopping, while Heidelberg is known for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Heidelberg 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. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela.

The nightlife in Heidelberg has something for everybody. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Santiago de Compostela has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Is Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santiago de Compostela. 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela are good family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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

For backpackers, both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Santiago de Compostela is a good town to visit for students. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

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

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela are superb when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Heidelberg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

The quaint town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

The quaint destination of Heidelberg offers nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santiago de Compostela, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santiago de Compostela, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

Heidelberg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heidelberg. 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Santiago de Compostela. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heidelberg is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°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 Heidelberg this time of the year. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Heidelberg is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 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, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 57 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 Heidelberg or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Heidelberg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Heidelberg is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 38 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. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.

In April, Heidelberg is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 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 Heidelberg