A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Biarritz vs. Girona for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Biarritz or Girona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Biarritz or Girona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a relaxing, quirky, and dynamic seaside town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Biarritz and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Biarritz or Girona?

Both Girona and Biarritz have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Biarritz is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Girona is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Biarritz is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Biarritz different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Girona and Biarritz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Biarritz or Girona?

Girona is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Biarritz or Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Biarritz and Girona.

Biarritz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Dining out in Girona is an experience not to be missed. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Biarritz offers plenty to do in the evening. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Girona is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Biarritz to choose from. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Girona is not a resort destination.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a well-known place for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Biarritz for it's beautiful beaches. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is renowned for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Girona is one of the most recognized in the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Biarritz or Girona?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Biarritz and Girona.

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Girona. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Families?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Biarritz is a very kid-friendly seaside town. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Biarritz and Girona make for a superb place to visit.

Biarritz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Couples visit Girona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Biarritz is a great seaside town to visit for backpackers. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Biarritz is not popular with students.

Is Biarritz or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Biarritz and Girona.

Biarritz has some public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

You'll find some public transit in Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Biarritz or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

Biarritz is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Biarritz Worth Visiting? and Is Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Biarritz?

How long in Biarritz or Girona?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Biarritz than Girona 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 Biarritz.

One day in Biarritz or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Girona offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Biarritz or Girona?

Biarritz 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.

Girona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Girona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Biarritz or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Biarritz. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Girona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Biarritz or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quirky destination of Biarritz. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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.

Girona is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Biarritz and Girona, we can see that Girona 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 Biarritz Expensive? and Is Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz and Girona, 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 Biarritz or Girona?

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 Biarritz or Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Girona. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Biarritz is cooler than Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Biarritz this time of the year. In the summer, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Girona. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In the autumn, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Biarritz in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Girona. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Biarritz during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 8°C (47°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Girona. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Girona. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Girona during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Girona. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Biarritz