Which place is cheaper, Pontevedra or Santiago de Compostela?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra? 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.
Where Should I go: Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra?
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
Pontevedra
An important port city with a medieval past, Pontevedra sits on the northwestern coast of Spain where the Lerez River opens out into the ocean. It is a part of the Galicia region and is known for its seafood, charming plazas, and old world architecture that include a number of chapels, churches, and cathedrals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago de Compostela €91Pontevedra €120
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €91, while the average daily cost in Pontevedra is €120. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago de Compostela €37Pontevedra €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago de Compostela €74Pontevedra €122
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices and Pontevedra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago de Compostela €38Pontevedra €23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
- Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
- Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra?
Prices for flights to both Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySantiago de Compostela €19Pontevedra €42
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
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Raspberries€3.50
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Ice Cream€2.00
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Cookie€1.00
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Kebab€7.25
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Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
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Tuna Empanada€3.50
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Fruit Shake€3.50
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Crepe€4.00
Typical Food Prices in Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for 2€11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Galician Cooking Class with Chef Instructor: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago de Compostela €39Pontevedra €19
Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5-day Private Tour Northern Spain (from Bilbao or Santiago): $5,274
- Christmas Enchantment: Walking Tour in Compostela: $457
- Complete Santiago Tour with tickets- Full experience in 4H: $48
- Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
- Exploration of Compostela Walking Tour for Families: $351
- Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples: $351
- Finisterre y Costa da Morte el tour más completo desde Santiago: $53
- From Santiago: Finisterre Lighthouse Sunset Tour: $36
- From Santiago: Fuciño do Porco Hiking Tour: $80
- From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour: $59
- From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra Tour & Boat Trip: $61
- Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña- Cruisers Only: $74
Tours and Activities in Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pontevedra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.78
- O Grove Aquarium Experience: $16
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $43
- NEW!! Private Walking Tour with local guide: $64
- Walking Tour and Galician Food Tasting: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago de Compostela €23Pontevedra €20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
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1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
- Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $202
Sample the Local Flavors in Pontevedra
Also in Pontevedra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra, we can see that Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra?
Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Pontevedra. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra, 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 Pontevedra?
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 Pontevedra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Pontevedra. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Pontevedra in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. 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 Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 299 hours of full sun.
Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in July than Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)Pontevedra 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra in the Autumn?
Both Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pontevedra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Pontevedra during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)Pontevedra 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra in the Winter?
Both Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Pontevedra. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Pontevedra fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 110 hours of full sun.
Pontevedra 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 less rain in January than Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)Pontevedra 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra. The spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.
Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pontevedra in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Pontevedra during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pontevedra receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)Pontevedra 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela
| Santiago de Compostela | Pontevedra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.