A Travel Price Comparison for Spain La Rioja vs. Galicia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Rioja or Galicia?

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

Should I visit La Rioja or Galicia? 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: La Rioja or Galicia?

La Rioja

La Rioja is an area in northern Spain located in the Iberia peninsula. It is not as commonly known as some of the bigger cities, but it is a great place to visit. The area has more than 500 wineries, and though the area may not be well known as a tourist location, the name is often recognizable for its quality wine. La Rioja is full of natural beauty and Spanish culture. Because it is not as touristy as some of the larger areas of Spain, you are more likely to get a more genuine idea of real Spanish life and culture by visiting this region. The La Rioja area is nestled between cities like Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Zaragoza, so you are never far from the more popular northern cities.

Galicia

Located in the lush green corner of northwestern Spain, the region of Galicia is best known for its seafood and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela located in the capital city. With an extensive Atlantic coastline, the climate of Galicia is often damp, though there are a number of rugged beaches that are frequented during the summer season. Other highlights include a culture that traces back to Celtic tribes and unique architecture from ancient standing stones to elaborate cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Galicia or La Rioja?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Rioja is €0.00, while the average daily cost in Galicia is €95. 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 La Rioja and Galicia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Rioja -
    Galicia 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Rioja 0.00
    Galicia 86
Compare Hotels in La Rioja and Galicia

Looking for a hotel in La Rioja or Galicia? 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.

Hotels in La Rioja


Hotels in Galicia


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Rioja -
    Galicia 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galicia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galicia:

  • Transfer from Coruna Airport to Ferrol: $130
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $89
  • 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
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
  • Private Transfer from Vigo Cruise Port to Porto Airport (OPO): $42
  • Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $189
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCQ) to La Coruna Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago city hotels: $72
  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago Airport (SCQ): $72
  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Vigo Airport: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into La Rioja or Galicia?

Prices for flights to both Galicia and La Rioja 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Rioja -
    Galicia 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galicia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Galicia.

  • The Great Dinner in A Coruña - Escape urban room: $64
  • Food Market visit and Cooking Workshop in A Coruña: $103
  • 3 Hour Tapas Tasting and Cooking Class in A Coruna: $103
  • Gourmet Hands on Cooking Class in Galicia with the Chef: $162

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Rioja -
    Galicia 16

Tours and Activities in La Rioja

For La Rioja, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Vineyards Tour in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $92
  • Private Tour to 3 Wineries with Tastings: $802

Tours and Activities in Galicia

Here are a few actual costs in Galicia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Private Old Town Walking Tour in La Coruña: $151
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Lugo: $81
  • A Coruña Private Walking Tour : $81
  • A Coruña Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
  • A Coruña boat tour from the sea: $38
  • Afternoon Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $18
  • Albarino : Sensorial experience and Heritage: $128
  • E-bike Tour La Coruña: $64
  • Essential Walking Tour through the Emblematic Places of Coruña: $32
  • Essential Walking Tour through the Emblematic Places of Vigo: $32
  • Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
  • Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples : $179

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Rioja -
    Galicia 16

Sample the Local Flavors in La Rioja

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Rioja:

  • Private Wine Tasting in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $60
  • Rioja: Private Wine Tasting Tour: $421

Sample the Local Flavors in Galicia

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Galicia:

  • Santiago de Compostela: Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rioja and Galicia, we can see that Galicia is more expensive. And not only is La Rioja much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Rioja would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Rioja 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 Galicia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galicia than you might in La Rioja.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Rioja Expensive? and Is Galicia Expensive?.