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

Should you visit Oxford 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 Oxford 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.

Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful, historic, and scholarly college town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. 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 gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Oxford. While Oxford 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, food, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Oxford attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Oxford 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. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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

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

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

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

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historic old town. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Oxford and Santiago de Compostela are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santiago de Compostela. 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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Santiago de Compostela is a good college town 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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Santiago de Compostela.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Santiago de Compostela, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Oxford or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

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

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable college town. 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 Oxford Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Oxford or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

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

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer.

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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town 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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 inspirational 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in 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 Oxford and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Santiago de Compostela?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm 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 the summer, Oxford is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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.

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

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Oxford gets 107 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, Oxford usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Santiago de Compostela. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford 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 Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Oxford gets 52 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. Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Oxford is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 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 Oxford