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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Urbino?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Urbino? 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Urbino

Urbino is a laid back, historic, and undiscovered town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela and Urbino: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Santiago de Compostela and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Urbino is known for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Urbino 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. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

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

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.

Urbino has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

Santiago de Compostela offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Around Santiago de Compostela visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Urbino?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its shopping areas. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino Better for Families?

Santiago de Compostela is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino Better for Students?

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

Urbino is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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 Urbino Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santiago de Compostela is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Santiago de Compostela offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Urbino a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Urbino?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Urbino offers museums and nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Urbino?

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The historic destination of Urbino offers nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the religious destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Urbino is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino, we can see that Urbino 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 Urbino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Urbino 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Urbino?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino and Santiago de Compostela during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Urbino. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Urbino. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Urbino. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Urbino. The winter months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. Santiago de Compostela is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Urbino and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In April, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Urbino. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Santiago de Compostela