Which place is cheaper, Lima or Barcelona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Barcelona or Lima?
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 Lima 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.
Where Should I go: Barcelona or Lima?
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Barcelona Prices
Spain PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBarcelona €185Lima €81
The average daily cost (per person) in Barcelona is €185, while the average daily cost in Lima is €81. 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 Barcelona and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBarcelona €98Lima €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBarcelona €196Lima €88
Compare Hotels in Barcelona and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Barcelona or Lima? 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.
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: Barcelona Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Barcelona €19Lima €5.16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Private transfer from Barcelona Airport to Fira de Barcelona: $26
- Barcelona Private Transfer Hotel or City Centre to Cruise Port: $27
- Barcelona Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $27
- Barcelona Arrival Private Transfer Cruise Port to City Center: $30
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to Barcelona City: $30
- Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Cruise Port : $30
- Barcelona Departure Private Transfer From City To Cruise Port: $31
- Barcelona Private Transfer from Cruise Terminal to barcelona city: $31
- Barcelona Arrival Private Transfer Cruise Port to City Center : $32
- Barcelona Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $32
- Private Transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona Sant Train Station: $32
- Departure Private Transfer from Barcelona City Hotels to Airport: $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€4.88
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Taxi Ride€4.88
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Short Taxi Ride€3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Barcelona or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Barcelona 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
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Food Meals for one dayBarcelona €58Lima €27
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Barcelona Morning Walking and Food Tour with Local Flavors: $35
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $42
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $54
- Barcelona Food Tour: Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $54
- Tablao Flamenco Cordobes on Rambla Barcelona with Dinner Option: $57
- Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour: $70
- Wine Tasting and 5 Course Tapas Pairing Dinner: $70
- Barcelona Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience: $78
- Seafood Paella and Mediterranean Tapas Cooking Class: $81
- Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $85
- Barcelona : Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Exclusive Tour: $94
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€3.91
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Ice cream€3.17
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Coffee€2.69
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Donut€0.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Barcelona €33Lima €7.79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Self-Guided Private City Tour in Barcelona's Best Kept Secrets: $2.39
- Sagrada Familia Exterior Tour: $3.57
- Barcelona Electric Scooter Tour: $3.57
- Barcelona Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.58
- Costa Brava Luxury Tour Boat and Lunch from Barcelona: $3.58
- Sagrada Familia External Audio Tour - The 3 Iconic Facades: $3.58
- Censored Barcelona Tour: $3.58
- Discover the Gothic Quarter Walking Tour: $3.58
- Gothic Quarter Donation-Based Walking Tour in English : $3.58
- Barcelona Gothic Quarter Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.12
- Barcelona Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.12
- Barcelona Gothic Quarter Self Guided Walking Tour with Mobile App: $5.20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.07
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBarcelona €17Lima €5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Bar Crawl Old Town Treasure Tramp Adventure: $15
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING -The Best Party tour & VIP Club Entry: $18
- Largest Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $18
- Largest Bar Crawl in Barcelona: $18
- Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $18
- Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $18
- Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $18
- Pub Crawl Barcelona by EVOLVE The BEST night experience: $24
- Wine tasting next to the Sagrada Familia: $30
- Go out like a local, pub Crawl / Tour in Raval - Barcelona: $32
- Magic Montjuïc Tour with Wine Tasting : $33
- Barcelona Markets Tour With Optional Food & Wine Tasting Upgrade: $35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€6.57
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Beer€3.66
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Cocktail€2.93
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Lima, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Barcelona is in Europe and Lima is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Barcelona Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Barcelona. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Lima, 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 Barcelona or Lima?
Barcelona has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Barcelona or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Barcelona is a little warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Lima. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBarcelona 23°C (73°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Barcelona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the autumn, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Barcelona in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Lima. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBarcelona 17°C (63°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Lima. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Barcelona is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 9°C (48°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Barcelona usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Lima. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBarcelona 9°C (48°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Barcelona is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the spring, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Lima. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBarcelona 13°C (55°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Barcelona
| Barcelona | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.