A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Barcelona or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii 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 high energy, youthful, and colorful 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Barcelona and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Pompeii, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Barcelona is better known for its food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is more popular for its museums. Barcelona is well known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Pompeii is well known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

How is Barcelona different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Barcelona or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Barcelona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Music?

Barcelona is renowned for its music scene. However, Pompeii is not a live music destination.

Barcelona has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Pompeii is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or Pompeii?

Barcelona is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many people travel to Barcelona specifically to go shopping. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Both Barcelona and Pompeii are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Barcelona is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Barcelona, as it is a very popular city for 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. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii Better for Students?

Barcelona is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Barcelona offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Barcelona or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is renowned for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Barcelona or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Barcelona than Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

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

Couples should spend more time in Barcelona than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

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. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums around the archeological site of Pompeii. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Pompeii?

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums around the ancient destination of Pompeii. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Pompeii?

Barcelona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the ancient archeological site of Pompeii. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Barcelona or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Barcelona and Pompeii, 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 Barcelona Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Barcelona during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 23°C (73°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, 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 Pompeii. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Pompeii. 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.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Pompeii. The winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

In the winter, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Barcelona in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In April, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 13°C (55°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Barcelona