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

Should you visit Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a friendly, relaxed, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santiago de Compostela than Toulouse. While Toulouse is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and hiking, while Toulouse is known for its food and big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Toulouse 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. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Toulouse different from Santiago de Compostela?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela and Toulouse. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Toulouse is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Santiago de Compostela has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of Santiago de Compostela can be explored in its historical center. 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 are many historical things to see in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

If you're looking to go shopping, Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Santiago de Compostela is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Toulouse frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

For students, both Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city to visit for students. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Santiago de Compostela has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is very walkable. 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Toulouse than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

Couples should spend more time in Toulouse than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

The city of Toulouse offers museums and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

The friendly destination of Toulouse offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that food 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.

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.

Five days in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

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

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.

A week in Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Toulouse. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela?

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 Toulouse or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Toulouse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Toulouse is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela. The spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In April, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Toulouse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Toulouse