A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Venice for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Barcelona or Venice?

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 Venice 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 laid-back, historic, and cultural 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.

Venice

Venice is a historic, beautiful, and romantic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Barcelona and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Venice?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Venice. Barcelona is bigger than Venice, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is better known for its food, nightlife, music, beaches, and big city activities, while Venice is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. 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. Venice is well known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges.

How is Barcelona different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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 Venice that are not to be missed. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

People head to Barcelona just to party. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for Music?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for Beaches?

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

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Venice is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or Venice?

Both Barcelona and Venice are amazing shopping destinations.

Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Known for shopping, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for Families?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

Venice is renowned for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Venice is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Is Barcelona or Venice Better for Students?

Barcelona and Venice are both amazing destinations for students and younger travelers.

Barcelona is a very popular city 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.

Venice is a very popular place to visit for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice is renowned for its public transit. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Venice has a great public transit system. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. 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.

Is Barcelona or Venice a more walkable city?

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

It is easy to get around Venice on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Venice?

Both Barcelona and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Venice has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Venice than Barcelona. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

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

Barcelona is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Venice. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Venice?

Barcelona is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the cultural destination of Venice. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic city of Venice. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Barcelona or Venice?

Barcelona is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Venice is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Venice, one week is sufficent for most. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Venice?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Venice. 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 Venice for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Venice. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the summer, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Venice in the Autumn?

Both Venice 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 Venice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Barcelona is a little warmer than Venice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Venice during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Venice. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Venice in the Winter?

Both Venice 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

It's quite cold in Venice in the winter. In the winter, Barcelona is much warmer than Venice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Barcelona in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Venice averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Venice. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Venice. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Venice in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Venice. 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 Venice for the natural beauty.

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

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Venice during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Venice. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Barcelona