A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Santiago de Compostela vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Old Town, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao? 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 inspirational, iconic, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Bilbao. While Bilbao 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, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is more popular for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Bilbao 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. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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

Santiago de Compostela is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bilbao 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 Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santiago de Compostela. 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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

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

Santiago de Compostela is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao 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 Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Bilbao 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.

Bilbao has some very good public transit options. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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 Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Bilbao. 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 Bilbao. 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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 friendly destination of Bilbao offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the iconic 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.

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. 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 Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Bilbao. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela