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

Should you visit Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Santiago de Compostela, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a inspirational, iconic, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Munich and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Munich have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Munich is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Santiago de Compostela is known for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Munich and is known for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Santiago de Compostela on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Both Munich and Santiago de Compostela offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Munich is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Munich is a must-see party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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 Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Music?

Munich is terrific for its live music scene. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Santiago de Compostela can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Munich is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santiago de Compostela draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Munich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Munich is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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.

Is Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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

Munich is terrific for backpackers. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Is Munich or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Munich is terrific 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.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Munich can take you anywhere. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Munich and Santiago de Compostela both are very good when exploring on foot.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

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

How long in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Munich or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Munich than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Santiago de Compostela 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 Munich.

One day in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Munich 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Munich 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Munich is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Munich. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the iconic destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking 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 Munich and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich or Santiago de Compostela?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Munich or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santiago de Compostela. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. Munich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Munich during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Munich is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Munich often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Munich usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Santiago de Compostela. The winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

The weather in Munich can be very cold. In the winter, Munich is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Munich as well as Santiago de Compostela. The activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

In April, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Munich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Munich