A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Backpackers, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 historic, cultural, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular, scenic, and world-famous national park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking.

Barcelona and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona. Although Barcelona and Plitvice Lakes National Park are both popular with visitors, Barcelona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Barcelona is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Barcelona is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Plitvice Lakes National Park is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes.

How is Barcelona different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Barcelona is great for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Barcelona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Music?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is great for its historic old town. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

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 Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Barcelona. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Students?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Barcelona is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Barcelona can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is renowned for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Plitvice Lakes National Park on foot. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Barcelona Worth Visiting? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Barcelona than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Plitvice Lakes National Park has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find around the world-famous destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 national park has to offer. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the world-famous national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Many people spend one week here.This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Plitvice Lakes National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plitvice Lakes National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

When is the best time to visit Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plitvice Lakes National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the summer, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Barcelona is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Barcelona in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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. Furthermore, the cuisine are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. In January, Barcelona is generally much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 9°C (48°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Plitvice Lakes National Park. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the natural beauty.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Barcelona