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

Should you visit Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a local, historic, and cultural city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Inverness travel costs.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santiago de Compostela travel costs.

Inverness and Santiago de Compostela: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is more popular for its small town charm. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Inverness 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. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Inverness is well known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness.

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

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

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Santiago de Compostela are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

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 Inverness or Santiago de Compostela Better for Nightlife?

Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Santiago de Compostela offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

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

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

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.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is Inverness or Santiago de Compostela Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking. 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.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

Both Inverness and Santiago de Compostela are great shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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.

Is Inverness or Santiago de Compostela More Beautiful?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Inverness is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful place to visit, too. Impressive gardens, detailed architecture, and the iconic cathedral all make this a beautiful city.

Inverness is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Inverness or Santiago de Compostela Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Santiago de Compostela.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

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 Inverness or Santiago de Compostela Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Santiago de Compostela are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

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

Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santiago de Compostela is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Santiago de Compostela Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is very good for students. However, Inverness is not popular with 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Santiago de Compostela is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Santiago de Compostela a more walkable city?

Inverness and Santiago de Compostela both are great when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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.

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

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

How long in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Inverness 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 Inverness, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Inverness 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 Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Santiago de Compostela. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santiago de Compostela has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

The traditional destination of Inverness offers nightlife and food. This city 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the religious destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Santiago de Compostela. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

Inverness is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Inverness. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Santiago de Compostela. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Inverness is cooler than Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, 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. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Santiago de Compostela. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In the autumn, Inverness is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 84 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. Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Inverness gets 42 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, Inverness usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santiago de Compostela and Inverness during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

Inverness is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 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 Inverness