A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Santiago de Compostela vs. Puerto del Carmen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen? 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.

Where Should I go: Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen?

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.

Puerto del Carmen

Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Santiago de Compostela?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Santiago de Compostela Prices
    Spain Prices
    Puerto del Carmen Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santiago de Compostela 105
    Puerto del Carmen 210

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €105, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €210. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santiago de Compostela and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago de Compostela 37
    Puerto del Carmen 98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago de Compostela 74
    Puerto del Carmen 196
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Puerto del Carmen

Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Santiago de Compostela


Hotels in Puerto del Carmen


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago de Compostela 38
    Puerto del Carmen 39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:

  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $102
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $56
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $68
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $68
  • Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto with Tour: $209
  • Private Transfer from Santiago city hotels to La Coruna Port : $156
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $66
  • Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $82

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen?

Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Santiago de Compostela change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santiago de Compostela 34
    Puerto del Carmen 89
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:


  • Raspberries
    3.50
  • Ice Cream
    2.00
  • Cookie
    1.00
  • Kebab
    7.25
  • Dinner & Tapas (for 2)
    28
  • Tuna Empanada
    3.50
  • Fruit Shake
    3.50
  • Crepe
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago de Compostela

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago de Compostela.

  • Santiago Food Tour Tapas Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago de Compostela 39
    Puerto del Carmen 17

Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Tour to the Vigo Christmas Lights from Santiago de Compostela: $54
  • Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $65
  • Finisterre and Costa da Morte: The Most Complete Tour of Santiago: $58
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from Vigo- Cruisers Only: $82
  • Guided Tour Cathedral tickets included with Optional Portico: $24
  • Guided Tour Santiago Cathedral, Museum and Old City: $31
  • Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $14
  • Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazán: $22
  • Land of Legends and Meigas Tour: $14
  • Private Gastronomical Tour in Santiago de Compostela: $286
  • Private Walking Tour in Santiago with Beer or Wine: $66
  • Private tour Santiago de Compostela with tickets: $78

Tours and Activities in Puerto del Carmen

For Puerto del Carmen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Las Palmas: Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago de Compostela 23
    Puerto del Carmen 60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:


  • 1 Pint Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela

Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $35


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


Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Puerto del Carmen?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Puerto del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Puerto del Carmen, 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.