A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Sibenik for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Barcelona or Sibenik?

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 Sibenik 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. 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.

Sibenik

Sibenik is a undiscovered, charming, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Barcelona and Sibenik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Sibenik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona. Although Barcelona and Sibenik are both popular with visitors, Barcelona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Barcelona is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sibenik is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and small town charm. Barcelona is more touristy than Sibenik and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Sibenik is popular for its photogenic beaches, charming old town, and surrounding natural beauty.

How is Barcelona different from Sibenik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Barcelona and Sibenik have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sibenik. Despite being skipped by many international tourists, the town has a number of historical landmarks such as Sibenik Cathedral, St. Michael's Fortress, and the fascinating the Dalmatian Ethno Village.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Barcelona and Sibenik.

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.

Sibenik has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The restaurants are local and delicious. The old town has cafes that spill into the squares, so dining is a truly delightful experience. This is a hidden gem on the Adriatic.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is renowned for nightlife. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Sibenik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the summer months you'll find people filling the terraces and squares at night. There are also a number of festivals in and near town. If you're looking for nightlife, it's best to visit during one of these festivals.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Music?

Barcelona is renowned for live music. However, Sibenik 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.

Sibenik is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Resorts?

Sibenik is a town with good options for its resorts. However, Barcelona is not a resort destination.

Sibenik has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town has gained popularity in recent years and its become a popular summer resort destination for Europeans.

Barcelona is not a resort destination.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sibenik is a moderate town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Sibenik. There aren't as many snorkeling trips leaving from this town as other, more popular beach destinations in Croatia.

Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Beaches?

Sibenik 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 Sibenik attract visitors from all over. The beaches are less crowded than those in the more popular nearby cities, but they are gaining popularity. In town, Banj Beach is a pebbly beach that is easy to access. Nearby Jadrija Beach is considered to be one of the most photogenic in the area and St. Nicholas Beach is one of the more remote.

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 Sibenik Better for its Old Town?

Both Barcelona and Sibenik have very good 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 Sibenik. The charming old town is car-free and filled with quaint streets and lovely cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or Sibenik?

Barcelona is renowned for shopping. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Sibenik offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some local shops selling interesting trinkets and souvenirs.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Families?

Sibenik 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.

Sibenik is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has grown into a popular summer resort destination. There are many outdoor activities in the area including kayaking, swimming, and boating. You should also take a day trip to Krka National Park to see the waterfalls. There are also some good beaches where families can hang out.

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 Sibenik Better for Couples?

Sibenik 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.

Sibenik is a very popular place to visit for couples. The town is charming and filled with historic sights. There are also beaches and adventure sports for those looking for an adrenaline-filled vacation.

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 Sibenik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Sibenik is a great city to visit for backpackers. The town has a large number of hostels to choose from, making this an easy and convenient stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik Better for Students?

Barcelona is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sibenik is not popular with students.

Barcelona is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Sibenik is not popular with students.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik 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, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find some public transit in Sibenik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a public bus system that can help you get around the area.

Is Barcelona or Sibenik a more walkable city?

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

It is easy to get around Sibenik on foot. The old town is car-free and easily explored on foot.

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 Sibenik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sibenik or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Sibenik?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Barcelona and Sibenik. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Sibenik. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sibenik.

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

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

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

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 shopping and museums around the town of Sibenik. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Sibenik?

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 and nightlife around the charming destination of Sibenik. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Sibenik?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Sibenik. 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 Sibenik?

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.

Sibenik 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Sibenik?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sibenik. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Sibenik, 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 Sibenik?

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 Sibenik in the Summer?

Both Sibenik and Barcelona during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sibenik for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Barcelona is cooler than Sibenik in the summer. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Sibenik fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Sibenik, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Barcelona. In the summer, Barcelona often gets less sunshine than Sibenik. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 345 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Sibenik. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Sibenik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Sibenik. 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sibenik in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Sibenik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Barcelona in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Sibenik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sibenik this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives less sunshine than Sibenik during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Sibenik. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Sibenik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Sibenik. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Sibenik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Sibenik. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 9°C (48°F), and Sibenik fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Sibenik. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 128 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Barcelona or Sibenik in the Spring?

Both Sibenik and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sibenik because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Barcelona is cooler than Sibenik in the spring. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Sibenik fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Sibenik. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sibenik during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Sibenik. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sibenik and Barcelona