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

Should you visit Cagliari or Girona?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cagliari and Girona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cagliari

Cagliari is a laid back, relaxed, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a beautiful, colorful, and medieval 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.

Cagliari and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cagliari or Girona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cagliari than Girona. Cagliari is bigger than Girona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cagliari is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Girona is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cagliari is well known for its medieval quarter, beautiful hilltop setting, and impressive beaches. Also, Cagliari is famous for Castello. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Cagliari different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Cagliari and Girona.

Many visitors head to Cagliari specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Castello district is filled with ancient buildings including Bastione San Remy and the Duomo. Also make sure you check out the Archeology Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Girona can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cagliari and Girona can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Cagliari has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine mixes the island's sea and mountain settings. You'll find many local pastas, breads, seafood dishes, and cheeses. There's a wealth of diversity in the food and you should definitely step away from the more traditional Italian flavors and try something uniquely Sardinian.

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 Cagliari or Girona Better for Nightlife?

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

Cagliari offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a thriving nightlife scene that is mostly centered around tourists. You'll find a number of the best bars in the Castello district and the atmosphere is usually relaxed and laid back, like the town itself.

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 Cagliari or Girona Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Cagliari for it's beautiful beaches. While you'll find some nice beaches in town, if you're willing to head to the surrounding areas just outside of town, you'll be rewarded with amazing beaches. The beaches are enjoyable any time of the year.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Cagliari or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Girona offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Many visitors go to Cagliari to see the historical old town. The Castello district is the city's old town. It's filled with narrow alleys, historic castles, and a truly unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Cagliari or Girona?

Girona is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Girona is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Cagliari to go shopping. Head to the Marina district for some of the city's best shopping opportunities. There are a number of shopping malls to choose from. For souvenirs and other handicrafts, the port area has a few shops.

Is Cagliari or Girona Better for Families?

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

Cagliari is a very kid-friendly city. There are a number of activities for kids to enjoy in the areas surrounding the city. If you're willing to get about an hour out of town, you can check out the Water Park of Pula. In town, there's a little train that young kids will enjoy. And, of course, there are the beaches!

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 Cagliari or Girona Better for Couples?

Both Cagliari and Girona are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Cagliari makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The waterfront setting and nice beaches make this a great place for couples. There's also the Castello district, which is fun to wander through, and many parks and outdoor walking areas.

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 Cagliari or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cagliari and Girona are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Cagliari is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel or two in the area that offer accommodation that backpackers will appreciate.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Cagliari or Girona Better for Students?

Both Cagliari and Girona are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Cagliari. There are some study abroad opportunities in town, and with the nearby beaches and wonderful weather, many international students enjoy their time here.

Girona is popular with students. 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

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

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

Cagliari has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around town relatively efficiently.

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 Cagliari or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Cagliari 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.

Cagliari is a very walkable destination. While the city is very walkable, it is built on a large hill so come prepared for some steep climbs.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Cagliari?

How long in Cagliari or Girona?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cagliari or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cagliari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Cagliari or Girona?

Cagliari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. 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 Cagliari or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cagliari. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. 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 Cagliari or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Cagliari. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cagliari and Girona, we can see that Girona is more expensive. And not only is Cagliari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cagliari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cagliari 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 Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona than you might in Cagliari.

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

Which is Bigger, Cagliari or Girona?

Cagliari has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Cagliari 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 Cagliari 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 Cagliari or Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cagliari as well as Girona. Many visitors come to Cagliari in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cagliari is around the same temperature as Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Cagliari averages around 24°C (75°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 Cagliari this time of the year. In the summer, Cagliari often gets more sunshine than Girona. Cagliari gets 337 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Cagliari gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cagliari or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Cagliari are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cagliari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Girona because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cagliari is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cagliari in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Cagliari usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Cagliari gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Girona. Cagliari gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cagliari or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Cagliari during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cagliari because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In January, Cagliari is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Cagliari average around 10°C (50°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Cagliari often gets less sunshine than Girona. Cagliari gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets less rain in January than Girona. Cagliari gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cagliari or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cagliari and Girona. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Cagliari this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Cagliari is around the same temperature as Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in Cagliari averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Cagliari, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cagliari usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Cagliari gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Girona. Cagliari gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Cagliari