A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arles vs. Barcelona for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arles or Barcelona?

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 Arles and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Arles and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Barcelona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Arles. Barcelona is bigger than Arles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is better known for its nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Arles is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Barcelona is more touristy than Arles and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Arles. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arles or Barcelona?

Arles is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Arles that are not to be missed. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Is the Food Better in Arles or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Barcelona can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Barcelona. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Barcelona is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In Barcelona you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Arles is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Barcelona is a world class destination for shoppers. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Families?

Barcelona is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Barcelona. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Arles is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Barcelona is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Barcelona. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Arles or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Arles is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable town. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

For even more information, also check out Is Arles Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Arles?

How long in Arles or Barcelona?

Both Arles and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Arles. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arles, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

Families should spend more time in Barcelona than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Barcelona, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Barcelona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Arles 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 Barcelona.

One day in Arles or Barcelona?

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

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Arles or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Arles or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact town of Arles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Arles or Barcelona?

Arles 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.

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Arles and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arles Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Barcelona, 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 Arles or Barcelona?

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 Arles or Barcelona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Barcelona. Many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Arles is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arles in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arles or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arles as well as Barcelona. Many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 16°C (61°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Arles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Arles usually gets more rain in October than Barcelona. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Arles is cooler than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Arles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during winter. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arles usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arles or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Arles during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In the spring, Arles is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arles in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arles. In the spring, Arles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Arles