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

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Helsinki and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Helsinki 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Santiago de Compostela has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Santiago de Compostela is revered around the world. 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Helsinki and Santiago de Compostela.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is a very kid-friendly city. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city 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 Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Helsinki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Helsinki 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.

Helsinki has some very good public transit options. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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 Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

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

How long in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Helsinki than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

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

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

The environmentally conscious destination of Helsinki 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, 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 Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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 the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 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, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Helsinki 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.

Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki gets 39 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. Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 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 Helsinki