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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pisa? 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santiago de Compostela and Pisa: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Santiago de Compostela and Pisa are roughly the same size, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, historical sights, and hiking, while Pisa is more popular for its beaches and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Pisa 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Santiago de Compostela are world-renowned. 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.

Many visitors head to Pisa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

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

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

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.

Pisa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Santiago de Compostela and Pisa.

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.

Many people head to Pisa for the nightlife scene. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a popular place for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Pisa is a good option for a beach vacation. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its old town. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Santiago de Compostela has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for hiking. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pisa 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 Pisa. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Families?

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

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.

Pisa offers lots of family activities. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Pisa make for a notable 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.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

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

Santiago de Compostela and Pisa are high quality places to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is terrific for students. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Pisa. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa 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 Pisa.

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 Pisa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pisa a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Pisa both are high quality 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.

Pisa is a very walkable destination. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santiago de Compostela and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pisa than in Santiago de Compostela. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santiago de Compostela, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

Families should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Pisa. 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 Pisa. 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 Pisa 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 Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The city of Pisa offers museums and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

Santiago de Compostela is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The charming destination of Pisa offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the iconic destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

The inspirational city of Santiago de Compostela offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Pisa is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Pisa. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Pisa?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

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 Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Santiago de Compostela during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

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

In Pisa, 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 Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Pisa. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

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

Pisa 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 Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally much warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa 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 Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Pisa and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pisa. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Santiago de Compostela