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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Split?

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

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

Split

Split is a touristy, fun-filled, and budget-friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Split: Pros and Cons

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

Both Split and Santiago de Compostela have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Split is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities. 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. Split is well known for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Split offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

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

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

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.

Split has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Nightlife?

Split is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Split is a must-see party destination. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

Many people head to Santiago de Compostela for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Resorts?

Split is well known for its resorts. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a resort destination.

Split is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

Santiago de Compostela is not a resort destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Split. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

Santiago de Compostela is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Beaches?

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

Split is considered a top beach destination. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its old town. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Split offers a nice historic old town area. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Split is not a hiking destination.

Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Split is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Split?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Split 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 Split. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Families?

Split 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.

Split is a very kid-friendly city. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun for the whole family.

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 Split Better for Couples?

Split is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Split makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

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 Split Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Split is terrific for backpackers. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Split. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many 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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split Better for Students?

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

Split is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

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 Split 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 Split.

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 Split offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Split a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Split both are superb 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.

Split is a very walkable destination. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Split?

It's fun to spend time in either Santiago de Compostela or Split. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Split due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santiago de Compostela, and 2-4 days is enough time in Split.

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

Couples should spend more time in Split than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Split that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Split than Santiago de Compostela 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 Split.

One day in Santiago de Compostela or Split?

In Santiago de Compostela, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this inspirational destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The city of Split offers shopping and museums. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Split?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The historic destination of Split offers museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife 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 Split?

Santiago de Compostela is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Split. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Split?

You'll find food and shopping around the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Split is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Split. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Split?

Split has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Split, 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 Split?

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 Split in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Split. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Split in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Split fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Split. 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 Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in July than Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Split and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Split. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Split averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Split. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Split during autumn. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Split and Santiago de Compostela during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally a little warmer than Split. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 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 Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Split. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Split in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Split fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Split during spring. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Split. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Split and Santiago de Compostela