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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or San Remo? 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a relaxing, beautiful, and scenic coastal 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 nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while San Remo is known for its beaches and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than San Remo 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. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for Beaches?

San Remo is well known for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

San Remo is considered a top beach destination. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

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 San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its hiking trails. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

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 San Remo Better for Couples?

San Remo is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo 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 San Remo.

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 San Remo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses around town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or San Remo a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Santiago de Compostela?

How long in Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than San Remo 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 San Remo?

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The coastal city of San Remo offers shopping 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 coastal city has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The historic destination of San Remo offers nightlife and food. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Remo?

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. 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 San Remo?

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

San Remo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Remo. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or San Remo?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and San Remo, 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as San Remo. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Remo. 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 San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in July than San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or San Remo in the Autumn?

Both San Remo and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than San Remo during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Remo. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or San Remo in the Winter?

Both San Remo and Santiago de Compostela during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than San Remo in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 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 January than San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or San Remo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and San Remo. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as San Remo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and San Remo averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than San Remo during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than San Remo. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Santiago de Compostela