A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. San Remo for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Barcelona or San Remo?

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 San Remo 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, high energy, and youthful 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Barcelona and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or San Remo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than San Remo. Barcelona is bigger than San Remo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while San Remo is more popular for its beaches. Barcelona is more touristy than San Remo and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. San Remo is well known for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Barcelona different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Barcelona is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Barcelona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Barcelona or San Remo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Barcelona and San Remo.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

San Remo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Barcelona is a must-see party destination. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for Music?

Barcelona is terrific for its music scene. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.

The beaches at San Remo attract visitors from all over. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Barcelona offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Both Barcelona and San Remo have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or San Remo?

Barcelona is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

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 San Remo Better for Couples?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Barcelona or San Remo Better for Students?

Barcelona is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Barcelona is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo 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 San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Barcelona or San Remo a more walkable city?

San Remo is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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 San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or San Remo?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in San Remo than Barcelona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Remo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than San Remo 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 San Remo?

Barcelona is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal city of San Remo. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Remo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or San Remo?

Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the authentic destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or San Remo?

Barcelona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Barcelona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful coastal city of San Remo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Barcelona or San Remo?

Barcelona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

San Remo is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Barcelona and San Remo, 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 San Remo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or San Remo?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and San Remo, 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo and Barcelona during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In San Remo, 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 San Remo. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets more rain in July than San Remo. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and San Remo. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Barcelona usually receives less rain than San Remo. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as San Remo. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than San Remo. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In April, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 13°C (55°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than San Remo. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Barcelona