Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Barcelona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Barcelona or Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas?
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.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBarcelona €156Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Barcelona is €156, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBarcelona €96Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBarcelona €192Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Barcelona and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Barcelona or Playa de las Americas? 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 Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Barcelona €19Playa de las Americas €56
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 Barcelona - Benidorm: $524
- Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Harbor up to 15 people: $300
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $293
- Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to PortAventura hotels: $290
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona City (or vice versa): $284
- Private Transfer Tarragona Port to Barcelona/Hotels: $283
- Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch: $282
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tarragona Cruise Terminal: $281
- Barcelona to Andorra Private Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $262
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port Aventura: $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Barcelona or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas 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 €33Playa de las Americas €45
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.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Barcelona €33Playa de las Americas €30
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:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $217
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
- Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBarcelona €17Playa de las Americas €8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Barcelona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Barcelona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Barcelona 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Barcelona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Barcelona Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Playa de las Americas?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Playa de las Americas. 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, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Barcelona in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the summer, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets more rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBarcelona 23°C (73°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
Both Playa de las Americas and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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, Barcelona is generally cooler than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 17°C (63°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. Barcelona usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBarcelona 17°C (63°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
Both Playa de las Americas and Barcelona during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Barcelona is much colder than Playa de las Americas in the winter. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the winter, Barcelona often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets more rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBarcelona 9°C (48°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Barcelona or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Playa de las Americas. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the spring, Barcelona is much colder than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Barcelona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBarcelona 13°C (55°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Barcelona
| Barcelona | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.