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

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam 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, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Rotterdam 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. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Rotterdam and Santiago de Compostela.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly port city. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Santiago de Compostela both good destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Santiago de Compostela is a nice destination for couples. 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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

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

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to 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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam has some very good public transit options. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Santiago de Compostela are superb when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

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

How long in Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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

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

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. This port 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Santiago de Compostela. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Santiago de Compostela. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 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, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 47 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. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Rotterdam gets 52 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 Rotterdam