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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Imperia? 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Imperia: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Santiago de Compostela and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Imperia 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. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town 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 Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town 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 Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Santiago de Compostela can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Imperia?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Santiago de Compostela. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia Better for Families?

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

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.

Imperia offers lots of family activities. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Imperia make for a good 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.

Imperia is a good city for couples to visit. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for students. However, Imperia is not popular with students.

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

Imperia is not popular with students.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia 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 Imperia.

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 Imperia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Imperia a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. 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.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santiago de Compostela or Imperia 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 Imperia. 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 Imperia. 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 Imperia. 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 Imperia 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 Imperia?

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

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Imperia?

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 charming destination of Imperia offers nightlife and food. This town 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia. 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 Imperia?

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.

Imperia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Imperia. 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Imperia?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Imperia. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the summer, Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Imperia 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 Imperia during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Imperia. 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 Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

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 Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Imperia 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 Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 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 Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Imperia 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 Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Imperia. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Santiago de Compostela