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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Livorno?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Livorno? 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 iconic, historic, and religious city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Livorno

Livorno is a waterfront, friendly, and down-to-earth port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Livorno: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Livorno. While Livorno is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Livorno is known for its beaches and big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Livorno and is popular 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. Livorno is popular for its large port and its great seafood.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Livorno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historical sights. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Santiago de Compostela has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Livorno offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Livorno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a port city, this is the place to try seafood. Many dishes include calamari, shrimp, or freshly caught fish. The city is less touristy than most in Italy, so even the food has an authentic and down-to-earth vibe.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its evening party scene. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Livorno. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, and depart in the evening, but the city is large and for those that stay the night, there are a number of bars and clubs around town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Beaches?

Livorno is a port city with a few options for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Livorno. The beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you won't really find a long stretch of sandy beach where you can relax. They can also stay very crowded.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Livorno 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.

Livorno does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for hiking. However, Livorno 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.

Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Livorno?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping areas. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Livorno is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Families?

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

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.

Livorno offers lots of family activities. The city has a nice aquarium as well as outdoor recreational activities like cycling and boating. There's a beach and parks where kids can stretch their legs and run around as well.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Couples?

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

Livorno is a good city for couples to visit. There are some nice museums as well as parks and boat rides that couples can enjoy. There's also an aquarium and a beach.

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

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Livorno is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Livorno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this city, so you won't find many hostels around town. It's a relatively affordable place to stay with some fun entertainment options if you do pass through.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Livorno is not popular with students.

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

Livorno is not popular with students.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno 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 Livorno.

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 Livorno offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Livorno a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city 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.

Livorno is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll want to take a shuttle bus from the port.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Livorno?

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

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 port city of Livorno offers shopping and nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Livorno?

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 down-to-earth destination of Livorno offers nightlife and food. This port 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 Livorno?

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 Livorno. 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 Livorno?

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.

Livorno is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Livorno. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Livorno?

Livorno has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Livorno, 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 Livorno?

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 Livorno in the Summer?

Both Livorno and Santiago de Compostela during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Livorno in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Livorno. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Livorno averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Livorno, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Santiago de Compostela. In the summer, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 316 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Livorno. 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 Livorno for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Livorno. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Livorno fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Livorno during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Livorno receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Livorno. 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 Livorno because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Santiago de Compostela is much warmer than Livorno in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Livorno fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 105 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in January than Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Livorno and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Livorno this time of year.

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Livorno. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Livorno averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Livorno during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of rain as Livorno. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Livorno and Santiago de Compostela