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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Brescia?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Brescia? 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 gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Brescia

Brescia is a undisovered, authentic, 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 Brescia: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Brescia. While Brescia is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Brescia 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 well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Brescia is famous for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Santiago de Compostela that are not to be missed. 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.

Brescia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

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

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

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.

Brescia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is well known for nightlife. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brescia has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historic old town. However, Brescia does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Santiago de Compostela is one of the most recognized in 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.

Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia 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.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Brescia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Brescia 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 Brescia. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Brescia make for a nice 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.

Brescia is a good city for couples to visit. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

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

Santiago de Compostela is well known for backpackers. However, Brescia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela and Brescia are nice 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 Brescia. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia 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 Brescia.

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 Brescia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Brescia a more walkable city?

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

Santiago de Compostela is very walkable. 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.

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santiago de Compostela or Brescia to fill your time. In our opinion, Santiago de Compostela has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Brescia. 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 Brescia. 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 Brescia. 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 Brescia 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 Brescia?

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

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Brescia?

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 authentic destination of Brescia 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 Brescia?

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 Brescia. 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 Brescia?

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.

Brescia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Brescia. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Brescia?

Brescia 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 Brescia, 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 Brescia?

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 Brescia in the Summer?

Both Brescia and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Brescia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Santiago de Compostela is generally cooler than Brescia. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 19°C (66°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Brescia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Brescia during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Brescia. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Brescia and Santiago de Compostela during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Brescia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Brescia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Brescia fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in October than Brescia. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Brescia. 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 Brescia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Brescia can be very cold. In the winter, Santiago de Compostela is much warmer than Brescia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Brescia averages at about 1°C (35°F).

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

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Brescia. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Brescia. The spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Brescia this time of year.

In April, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 13°C (55°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Brescia. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Santiago de Compostela