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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii?

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

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

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Santiago de Compostela and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Santiago de Compostela and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela 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. Pompeii is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

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

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

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Pompeii is not a hiking destination.

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.

Pompeii is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii?

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Santiago de Compostela offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii Better for Couples?

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

Pompeii is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela and Pompeii are good places to visit for 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.

It's common for students to visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

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 Pompeii offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii 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 Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Pompeii than Santiago de Compostela. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pompeii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

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 archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Pompeii?

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 one-of-a-kind destination of Pompeii offers museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Pompeii. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. 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 Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Pompeii and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Pompeii and Santiago de Compostela during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii 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 more rain in January than Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Pompeii. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

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

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Santiago de Compostela