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

Should you visit Nantes 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 Nantes 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Nantes. While Nantes 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, historical sights, and hiking, while Nantes is known for its food and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Nantes 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. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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

Nantes is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nantes and Santiago de Compostela.

Nantes has a large number of nightlife venues. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to see. 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.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Nantes and Santiago de Compostela.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Santiago de Compostela is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Nantes 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.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Both Nantes and Santiago de Compostela are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Nantes and Santiago de Compostela are very good when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

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

How long in Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantes or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantes than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

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

The city of Nantes offers museums and nightlife. 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

The friendly destination of Nantes offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. 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.

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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Nantes. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 historic 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Santiago de Compostela?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Nantes 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 Nantes 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Nantes during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for 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, Nantes is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°F), 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 Nantes. In the summer, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area 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.

Nantes is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Nantes gets 141 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, Nantes usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 79 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 Nantes or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Santiago de Compostela. The winter months attract visitors to Nantes 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.

In the winter, Nantes is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 72 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. Nantes usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

In April, Nantes is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nantes usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Nantes gets 50 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 Nantes