A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Burgundy vs. La Rioja for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Burgundy or La Rioja?

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

Should I visit Burgundy or La Rioja? 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.

Where Should I go: Burgundy or La Rioja?

Burgundy

Burgundy (or Bourgogne in French) is a historic region of east central France. The fertile Rhone and Saone river valleys make up the region's core is, where routes from Paris and the Rhineland to the Mediterranean converge. In the Middle Ages, Burgundy was the great dukedom which rivaled in power and prestige with the kingdom of France itself; in those days it covered a large part of central eastern France, including half of modern-day Switzerland. Today, Burgundy is one of the administrative regions of France, lying across the main lines of communication between Paris and Lyon; anyone travelling by train or on the French motorway network between Paris or north-east France, and Lyon and the south of France, must pass through Burgundy. The historic and modern capital of the Burgundy region is Dijon (population 150,000), a thriving administrative and cultural center, which is also a major communications and freight-distribution hub. Dijon has a historic city center, with old narrow streets, and houses built in the local pale honey-colored stone. Burgundy's wines, especially those of the celebrated Cote d'Or (Golden Slope), are among the world's most distinguished.

La Rioja

La Rioja is an area in northern Spain located in the Iberia peninsula. It is not as commonly known as some of the bigger cities, but it is a great place to visit. The area has more than 500 wineries, and though the area may not be well known as a tourist location, the name is often recognizable for its quality wine. La Rioja is full of natural beauty and Spanish culture. Because it is not as touristy as some of the larger areas of Spain, you are more likely to get a more genuine idea of real Spanish life and culture by visiting this region. The La Rioja area is nestled between cities like Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Zaragoza, so you are never far from the more popular northern cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Burgundy and La Rioja, we can see that Burgundy 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 Burgundy Expensive? and Is La Rioja Expensive?.

Which has a larger population, Burgundy or La Rioja?

Burgundy has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of La Rioja. When comparing the sizes of Burgundy and La Rioja, 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.