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

Should you visit Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Manchester. While Manchester is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Manchester attracts visitors for its music and big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Manchester 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 well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Santiago de Compostela from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Both Manchester and Santiago de Compostela offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santiago de Compostela. 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Manchester and Santiago de Compostela.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Santiago de Compostela has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its live music scene. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. 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.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Santiago de Compostela both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Santiago de Compostela is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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.

Manchester has some very good public transit options. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

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

How long in Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Santiago de Compostela. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Manchester, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

Manchester is a big city with plenty to do. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the religious 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

Manchester is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Santiago de Compostela?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Manchester gets 97 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. Manchester is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 53 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. Manchester usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Manchester gets 51 mm (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 Manchester