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Is Santiago de Compostela expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Santiago de Compostela is good value: cheaper than Madrid, Barcelona or San Sebastián, with pilgrim-friendly prices for beds and lunches. Expect about €68 a day per person on a budget, about €143 mid-range and about €320 for comfort. Rooms near the cathedral in summer and seafood dinners are the main costs; the cathedral itself is free.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €30 | €60 | €140 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €85 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €30 | €70 |
| Local transport | €3 | €8 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €68 | €143 | €320 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Santiago de Compostela day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café con leche) | about €1.30–1.80 |
| Small beer (caña), often with a free tapa | about €1.50–2.50 |
| Menú del día at lunch | about €12–16 |
| Pulpo á feira (octopus) to share | about €14–18 |
| Seafood dinner | €30–50 per person |
| Pórtico da Gloria timed visit | about €10–12 |
| Cathedral rooftop tour | about €15–18 |
| City bus ride | about €1–1.50 |
| Old-town double room | €90–150 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost: pilgrim hostels and pensions cost about €40–70, old-town hotels about €90–150, and a night in the Parador on Praza do Obradoiro €200–400. Food is fairly cheap, especially at lunch, when a menú del día is about €12–16, and many bars give a free tapa with each drink; seafood sold by weight, such as percebes, is the exception. Sightseeing is cheap, because the cathedral nave is free and the paid visits cost about €10–18 each. Day trips to Finisterre or Muxía add a tour or car hire.
When it is cheaper
November to March is usually cheapest, apart from Christmas and Holy Week, though it is the rainiest period. July and August, especially around the 25 July feast and in Holy Years such as 2027, are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Eat your main meal at lunch with the menú del día.
- Order drinks in bars that give a free tapa with each round.
- Buy seafood at the Mercado de Abastos and have it cooked at a market bar for a small fee.
- See the cathedral nave and the Pilgrims' Mass for free, and pay only for the visit you most want.
- Book well ahead for July, August and Holy Year dates, or stay in the Ensanche, 10 minutes from the cathedral.
- Take a day tour to Finisterre and Muxía rather than hiring a car for one day.
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Common questions
Is Santiago de Compostela expensive?
No. It is one of the cheaper cities in Spain, with cheap lunches and free tapas. Rooms are dearer in summer.
How much is a menú del día in Santiago?
About €12–16 at lunch, usually with a starter, main, dessert and a drink.
How much money do I need per day in Santiago?
About €68 per person on a budget, about €143 mid-range and about €320 for comfort, based on two people sharing.