A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Cinque Terre for Food, Beaches, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Cinque Terre can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a friendly, colorful, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a stunning, traditional, and charming coastal region. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and hiking.

Barcelona and Cinque Terre: Pros and Cons

How is Barcelona different from Cinque Terre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Food?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Barcelona and Cinque Terre.

Many restaurants in Barcelona have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.

Eat your way through Cinque Terre, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will usually choose Barcelona over Cinque Terre.

Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Cinque Terre doesn't offer many options. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Beaches?

While Cinque Terre and Barcelona are both popular beach destinations, overall the beaches at Barcelona have more to offer.

Barcelona is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

You can check out the beach in Cinque Terre. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for its Old Town?

Both Barcelona and Cinque Terre have historic old towns worth visiting.

The old town of Barcelona is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Cinque Terre offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Shopping?

While Cinque Terre and Barcelona are both popular shopping destinations, overall Barcelona is considered to be better.

Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

If you're looking to go shopping, Cinque Terre has some nice offerings. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Families?

Both Barcelona and Cinque Terre are fun to visit with kids.

Barcelona is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.

Cinque Terre is a family-friendly city. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

While Cinque Terre and Barcelona are both good for backpackers, overall Barcelona is more popular.

Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cinque Terre. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre Better for Public Transit?

While Cinque Terre and Barcelona both provide public transit, overall the system in Barcelona is considered to be better.

Barcelona has a great public transit system. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.

Cinque Terre has some public transit options. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.

Is Barcelona or Cinque Terre a more walkable city?

Barcelona and Cinque Terre both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Barcelona is very walkable. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. 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.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Cinque Terre. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.

Should I spend more time in Cinque Terre or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

In either Barcelona or Cinque Terre, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than Cinque Terre because of the overall number of sights and activities.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Cinque Terre is 2-5 days.

One day in Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Even though Cinque Terre is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Cinque Terre is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. 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 coastal region has to offer. This coastal region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Cinque Terre is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal region makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal region has to offer.

A week in Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

Barcelona is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cinque Terre 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.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

Both Cinque Terre and Barcelona during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Temperatures in Barcelona average around 23°C (73°F), and Cinque Terre stays around 24°C (75°F).

In Cinque Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Barcelona. In the summer, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Cinque Terre. The autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre in the autumn. The temperature in Barcelona is usually 17°C (63°F) in October, and Cinque Terre stays around 17°C (63°F).

Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cinque Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Cinque Terre. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cinque Terre for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Barcelona in January are around 9°C (48°F), and Cinque Terre is about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

Both Cinque Terre and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Temperatures in Barcelona average around 13°C (55°F), and Cinque Terre stays around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Barcelona