Which place is cheaper, Bergen or Santiago de Compostela?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Bergen? 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 is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.
Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Bergen 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. It is also home to the Cathedral of Santiago. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen and Santiago de Compostela. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Santiago de Compostela on the map. 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.
Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.
Santiago de Compostela is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Dining out in Santiago de Compostela is an experience not to be missed. 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.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.
Santiago de Compostela is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
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 Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.
Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.
Santiago de Compostela has a world-famous historical area. 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.
Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.
Santiago de Compostela is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen 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.
Bergen is not a hiking destination.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Bergen and Santiago de Compostela.
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.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.
Bergen 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.
Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.
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.
Bergen is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.
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.
Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Santiago de Compostela is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.
Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.
Santiago de Compostela and Bergen are good 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 Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.
Bergen 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.
Bergen has some very good public transit options. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.
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.
Santiago de Compostela and Bergen both are high quality 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.
Bergen is a very walkable destination. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santiago de Compostela and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bergen than in Santiago de Compostela. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santiago de Compostela, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.
Families should spend more time in Bergen than Santiago de Compostela. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bergen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Bergen 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.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
The city of Bergen offers museums and nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
The nostalgic destination of Bergen 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. 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 shopping and museums when visiting the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Bergen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Bergen. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €91, while the average daily cost in Bergen is €102. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santiago de Compostela and Bergen in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Bergen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
Prices for flights to both Bergen and Santiago de Compostela change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Santiago de Compostela and Bergen, we can see that Bergen 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 Santiago de Compostela Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.
Bergen has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Bergen, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.
In the summer, Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Bergen. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Bergen. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It's quite rainy in Bergen. Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bergen and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Santiago de Compostela is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Bergen. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Bergen and Santiago de Compostela during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.
In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Santiago de Compostela | Bergen | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
May | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) |