A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santiago de Compostela vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Santiago de Compostela and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is well 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. Mont-Saint-Michel is well known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Plenty of people visit the world-class sights and museums in both Santiago de Compostela and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Is the Food Better in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santiago de Compostela is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Santiago de Compostela know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Santiago de Compostela is revered around 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santiago de Compostela is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Mont-Saint-Michel both are great when exploring on foot.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Santiago de Compostela?

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Santiago de Compostela, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

The island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers museums and food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the inspirational city of Santiago de Compostela, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

The breathtaking destination of Mont-Saint-Michel offers food and museums. This island offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 1160 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Santiago de Compostela during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Santiago de Compostela