A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Zaragoza vs. Santiago de Compostela for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a compact, authentic, and cultural city. 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

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Zaragoza is known for its impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Zaragoza and is known 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. Zaragoza is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Santiago de Compostela on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Zaragoza. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Dining out in Zaragoza is an experience not to be missed. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Is Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

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

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is an amazing city to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santiago de Compostela draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

Both Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela are very good shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela are both good destinations for the whole family.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly place to visit. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Santiago de Compostela is a family-friendly city. 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 Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Zaragoza frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

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

Santiago de Compostela is notable for backpackers. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santiago de Compostela is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Zaragoza is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Zaragoza is a good city to visit for students. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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.

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

Zaragoza is well known for its public transit. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Zaragoza has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams around the city.

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.

Is Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela both are very good when exploring on foot.

Zaragoza is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable.

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 Zaragoza Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zaragoza than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Zaragoza, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

The city of Zaragoza offers museums 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 city has to offer.

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 Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

The authentic destination of Zaragoza 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. 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 Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

Zaragoza is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Zaragoza. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zaragoza and Santiago de Compostela. Many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Zaragoza is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Zaragoza gets 344 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Zaragoza as well as Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Zaragoza is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In the winter, Zaragoza is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zaragoza in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Zaragoza gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

In April, Zaragoza is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 15°C (58°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. In the spring, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Zaragoza usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Zaragoza gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza