A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Hiking, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a iconic, historic, and religious city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Saint-Etienne 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Santiago de Compostela are world-renowned. 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santiago de Compostela has a huge number of terrific 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Santiago de Compostela are notable family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Santiago de Compostela makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and Santiago de Compostela both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable city. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santiago de Compostela or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

The historic destination of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 city of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

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

Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, 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 Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 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, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 78 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 Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 62 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. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 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 Saint-Etienne