Is Lugo expensive to visit?
Lugo is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Lugo can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $59 (€52) per day, mid-range travelers spend $140 (€123) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $303 (€267) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Lugo.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Lugo is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Kaunas or Trieste.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Lugo Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Lugo?
The average Lugo trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Lugo travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Lugo cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Lugo, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $59 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, there are plenty of hostels in Lugo, such as Hostel Cross. Staying at these hostels means you can score affordable dorm lodging and a lively social vibe, but be prepared for basic amenities.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most people who travel to Lugo will want to experience its major attractions, museums, and historical landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $140 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Lugo. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. Hotel Monumento Pazo de Orban is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Hotel Torre de Nunez is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Lugo here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $303 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range.
Accommodation Budget in Lugo
The prices for hotels in Lugo can really vary, especially during peak travel season. Off-season, the average hotel room costs $59, while during peak season, that average price jumps to around $110. With budget accommodations starting at $38 and luxury hotels peaking at $175, there are options for every traveler. Dorm-style hostels are often the cheapest. Traveling during the low season or booking early can help you save.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Lugo for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $112 (€100). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $56 (€50) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Lugo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Lugo include:
- Hotel Monumento Pazo de Orban starting at $99
- Eurostars Gran Hotel Lugo starting at $76
- Hotel Torre de Nunez starting at $50
- Casa de Baixo Lugo starting at $60
- Hostal Catro Ventos starting at $40
By skipping and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Lugo
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $23 (€20) per person, per day, on local transportation in Lugo. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Lugo is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$23
€20
By plane, the nearest airport is Santiago de Compostela Airport located in Lavacolla. Flights are operatd by Adria Airways, Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Europa, EasyJet, Iberia, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling, and Turkish Airlines. By bus, the airport is about two hours away from Lugo (via Empresa Freire bus line).
By train, RENFE has a train station in the city which connects Lugo by rail to the rest of Spain. There are daily overnight sleeper services to Madrid and Barcelona as well as regional services directly to A Coruna, Ourense, and Monforte de Lemos from which there are connections to every major town in the region.
Lugo Bus Station, located just outside of the old city walls, provides operations by Empresa Freire (to/from Santiago), ASLA (destinations throughout Spain), and Arrive del Norte (destinations throughout Galicia).
If you're traveling by car, check that your hotel offers convenient parking options.
How much does it cost to go to Lugo? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Lugo will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Lugo
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Lugo can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Lugo is $67 (€60) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$67
€60
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Lugo is around $68 (€60) per person, with previous travelers spending from $29 to $145. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Lugo are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $20
- Lunch: $10 to $27
- Dinner: $20 to $47
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $10
Cuisine found in Lugo will be pretty much the same as the fare served throughout Galicia. Being a world fishing power, the region brings in a large selection of fresh fish and seafood. The Spanish word for seafood is "marisco," and fresh catches include things like clams, mussels, pod razors, cockles, crabs, barnacles, crayfish, snails, lobster, squid, sea bass, hake, scorpion fish, anchovies, sardines, and tuna. Pulpo a feira is a common seafood dish of octopus prepared with oil, salt, and hot paprika. Then there are empanadas-pies made with a traditional dough, filled with onion, pepper, and some meat, usually tuna, veal, or seafood. Another specialty of Galicia is a type of stew called Caldo Galego, which is simple but satisfying for warding off the damp chill of the region"s climate. There are many excellent dining options in and around the historic heart of Lugo.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Fill a water bottle rather than purchasing drinks constantly. It's a smart and eco-friendly choice.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Lugo
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Lugo typically cost an average of $15 (€13) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$15
€13
Lugo is best known for being the only city in the world to have a circuit of completely intact Roman walls. Dating back to the 3rd century, the walls cover a length of about 2,117 meters ringed with 71 towers that can be accessed by multiple stairwells allowing visitors to walk the perimeter. They have been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just inside the walls is a picturesque square with another piece of antiquity with the Lugo Cathedral dedicated to Saint Mary. With the earliest part built in the 12th Century, the cathedral presents an eclectic mix of architectural styles that have been added over the years. Other important religious sites include the Church of St. Dominic and the Gothic-styled Convent and church of St. Francis which currently houses the Museo Provincial, showing a display of Galician art and other buildings of the 18th century.
The Museo Interactivo de Historia de Lugo offers an interactive experience of the city"s history, while the Rosalia de Castro Park offers a little piece of greenery with a pond and many species of trees to provide a calm and quiet space in the midst of Lugo. Other notable sights include the Baroque-style City Hall with its clock tower, and a Roman bridge that stretches over the river Minho.
Beyond exploring city sights and walking the famous Roman walls, some of the best activities of Lugo occur during its festivals. One such celebration is the Saint Froilan festivity, dedicated to the city's patron saint, which lasts from October 4th to the 12th. It is considered to be a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, and includes the usual festivities of food, music, and fun. Arde Lucas is another well-known festival of Lugo which celebrates its Roman past, including a commemoration of the declaration of the city's Roman wall as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Lugo. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Guided Walking Tour for $85 details
- From Santiago: Lugo Ribadeo & Cathedrals Beach Full-Day Tour for $68 details
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Entry Ticket and Audio Guide for $9 details
Lugo, Spain
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.