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

Should you visit Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a historic, charming, and authentic town. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Piazza Armerina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Piazza Armerina 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Piazza Armerina is well known for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Santiago de Compostela are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Piazza Armerina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Piazza Armerina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

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.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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 explore the old town while visiting Piazza Armerina. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela both notable destinations for a couple.

Piazza Armerina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.

Santiago de Compostela is a good 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 Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santiago de Compostela is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for students. However, Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

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

Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

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

Both Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela offer notable public transit options.

Piazza Armerina has a few public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Santiago de Compostela has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela both are superb when exploring on foot.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable town. You can explore most of the old and new towns on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. 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 Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. In our opinion, Santiago de Compostela has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santiago de Compostela than Piazza Armerina. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

The town of Piazza Armerina offers museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

The iconic destination of Santiago de Compostela offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

The charming destination of Piazza Armerina offers food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Piazza Armerina. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

Piazza Armerina is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Piazza Armerina. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Piazza Armerina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piazza Armerina Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Santiago de Compostela. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Piazza Armerina this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In Piazza Armerina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Santiago de Compostela. Additionally, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Piazza Armerina in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Piazza Armerina in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Piazza Armerina is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 10°C (51°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Piazza Armerina gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Piazza Armerina during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.

Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. In the spring, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 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 Piazza Armerina