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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo? 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.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating, beautiful, and under-rated city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Bergamo. While Bergamo is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Bergamo 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. Bergamo is well known for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergamo and Santiago de Compostela. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Bergamo 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 Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo.

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.

Bergamo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Bergamo 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 Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bergamo has an old town worth visiting. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergamo 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.

Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bergamo 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.

Bergamo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city 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.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo make for a notable place to visit.

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.

Bergamo is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bergamo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo are notable places to visit for students.

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

It's common for students to visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo.

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.

While Bergamo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo both are very good when exploring on foot.

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.

Bergamo is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bergamo than in Santiago de Compostela. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santiago de Compostela, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Bergamo. 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 Bergamo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santiago de Compostela that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Bergamo offers museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

In Santiago de Compostela, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer.

The under-rated destination of Bergamo 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.

Five days in Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santiago de Compostela. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo?

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

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 Santiago de Compostela or Bergamo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Bergamo. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bergamo in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Bergamo in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bergamo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bergamo this time of the year. In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Bergamo during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Bergamo. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bergamo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Bergamo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergamo averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Bergamo and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bergamo can be very cold. In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally much warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Bergamo and Santiago de Compostela during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bergamo this time of year.

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

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Bergamo. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Santiago de Compostela