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

Should you visit Calais or Girona?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic 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 charming, beautiful, and colorful city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Calais and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Girona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Girona. While Girona is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Girona is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Girona is more touristy than Calais and is known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Calais different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Girona is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Girona is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

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 Calais or Girona Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Girona can be explored in its historical center. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Girona?

Girona is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Girona Better for Families?

Calais is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais or Girona Better for Couples?

Girona is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Girona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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

Calais is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Girona.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Girona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Calais or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Girona on foot is easy. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Calais?

How long in Calais or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Calais or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Calais 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 Calais, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

Couples should spend more time in Girona than Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Calais or Girona?

Calais 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 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.

Five days in Calais or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. 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.

A week in Calais or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Girona. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Calais 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 Calais Expensive? and Is Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais or Girona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Calais or Girona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Girona. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives more rain than Girona. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Calais as well as Girona. The autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

Calais is cooler than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Girona. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Girona. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Calais during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Girona. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Calais