A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santiago de Compostela vs. Costa de Prata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata? 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.

Where Should I go: Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata?

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

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 Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Costa de Prata or Santiago de Compostela?

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 Costa de Prata is €151. 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 Costa de Prata in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago de Compostela 37
    Costa de Prata 78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago de Compostela 74
    Costa de Prata 156
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Costa de Prata

Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata? 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.

Hotels in Santiago de Compostela


Hotels in Costa de Prata


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago de Compostela 38
    Costa de Prata 53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:

  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $91
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela Airport to City Center by Minivan: $91
  • Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
  • Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata?

Prices for flights to both Costa de Prata 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santiago de Compostela 19
    Costa de Prata 44
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:


  • Raspberries
    3.50
  • Ice Cream
    2.00
  • Cookie
    1.00
  • Kebab
    7.25
  • Dinner & Tapas (for 2)
    28
  • Tuna Empanada
    3.50
  • Fruit Shake
    3.50
  • Crepe
    4.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago de Compostela 39
    Costa de Prata 13

Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 5-day Private Tour Northern Spain (from Bilbao or Santiago): $5,294
  • Christmas Enchantment: Walking Tour in Compostela: $459
  • Complete Santiago Tour with tickets- Full experience in 4H: $48
  • Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
  • Exploration of Compostela Walking Tour for Families: $352
  • Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples: $352
  • Finisterre y Costa da Morte el tour más completo desde Santiago: $53
  • From Santiago: Finisterre Lighthouse Sunset Tour: $36
  • From Santiago: Fuciño do Porco Hiking Tour: $80
  • From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour: $59
  • From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra Tour & Boat Trip: $61
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña- Cruisers Only: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago de Compostela 23
    Costa de Prata 8.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:


  • 1 Pint Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela

Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
  • Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $214


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



When is the best time to visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata?

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 Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Costa de Prata. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In the summer, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in July than Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F) 
    Costa de Prata 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

Both Costa de Prata and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of rain as Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F) 
    Costa de Prata 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

Both Costa de Prata and Santiago de Compostela during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun.

Costa de Prata 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 January as Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F) 
    Costa de Prata 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Costa de Prata. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F) 
    Costa de Prata 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Costa de Prata
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)