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

Should you visit Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Santiago de Compostela? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive 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 historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Rouen and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Rouen is more popular for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Rouen 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. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

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

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

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Foodies will find both Rouen and Santiago de Compostela both to be high quality destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rouen. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Santiago de Compostela is revered around the world. 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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is Rouen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Rouen is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Rouen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Santiago de Compostela.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly city. 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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for students. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Rouen and Santiago de Compostela both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored 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 Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rouen 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 Rouen. 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 Rouen. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Rouen 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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

The city of Rouen offers museums and nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

In Santiago de Compostela, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this iconic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

The impressive destination of Rouen offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Rouen and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Rouen 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Santiago de Compostela?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Santiago de Compostela. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

Rouen is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°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 Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Santiago de Compostela. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rouen is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Rouen gets 127 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. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Rouen gets 62 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, Rouen usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Rouen 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 Rouen or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Rouen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

Rouen is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Rouen 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 Rouen