Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Cannes?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cannes vs. Barcelona for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Beaches
Jump to 
Should you visit Cannes or Barcelona?
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 Cannes and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Cannes
Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a cultural, friendly, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.
How is Cannes different from Barcelona?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Food?
Picking the best between Cannes and Barcelona can be difficult as they are each unique in their own way.
Cannes has long been recognized as a culinary destination. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.
Many restaurants in Barcelona have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Nightlife?
Both Cannes and Barcelona are comparable when it comes to partying.
Cannes offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.
Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Music?
Both Cannes and Barcelona offer a variety of live music venues.
In Cannes you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.
Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Beaches?
Cannes and Barcelona are good choices for a beach vacation.
Cannes is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.
Barcelona is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for its Old Town?
Cannes and Barcelona are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.
There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Cannes. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.
The old town of Barcelona is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Shopping?
Both Cannes and Barcelona are good shopping destinations.
Cannes is a world class destination for shoppers. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.
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.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Families?
You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Cannes or Barcelona.
Cannes is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.
Barcelona is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.
Is Cannes or Barcelona better for Public Transit?
While Cannes and Barcelona both provide public transit, overall the system in Barcelona is considered to be better.
Public transit in Barcelona is top-notch. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.
Cannes has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.
Is Cannes or Barcelona a more walkable city?
Cannes and Barcelona both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Cannes is a very walkable destination. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.
Barcelona is very walkable. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. 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.
Cannes and Barcelona: Pros and Cons
Cannes
Pros- Good music scene
- Popular beach
- Family-friendly
- Impressive beauty
- Less popular with backpackers
- Public transit not as usable
Barcelona
Pros- Good music scene
- Popular beach
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
- Impressive beauty
Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Cannes?
How long in Cannes or Barcelona?
Both Cannes and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than Cannes.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Cannes is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days.
-
How many days in Cannes or Barcelona? Ideal Length of StayCannes 2-4Barcelona 3-7
One day in Cannes or Barcelona?
You'll find nightlife and live music around the resort city of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.
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.
A weekend in Cannes or Barcelona?
You'll find live music and food around the lavish destination of Cannes. 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 resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
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.
Five days in Cannes or Barcelona?
Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the luxury resort city of Cannes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
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.
A week in Cannes or Barcelona?
Cannes is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCannes €110Barcelona €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Cannes is €110, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €123. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cannes and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCannes €60Barcelona €75
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCannes €120Barcelona €150
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cannes €13Barcelona €15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cannes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cannes:
- Ultra - Private Airport Transfer from Cannes City Centre to Nice Airport: $9.41
- Private airport transfer Mandelieu to Cannes: $53
- Private Departure Transfer from Cannes to Nice Airport: $55
- Nice Airport Private Departure Transfer from Cannes, Monaco or Eze: $55
- Private Airport Transfer: Cannes to Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE): $59
- Round-Trip Ferry Transfer to St Tropez from Cannes: $80
- Private transfer from Cannes to Nice City or Nice Airport: $80
- Private Transfer: Cannes to Cannes - Mandelieu Airport (CEQ): $89
- Private Transfer: Cannes - Mandelieu Airport (CEQ) to Cannes: $89
- Nice Airport departure private transfer from Cannes - Mónaco - Cap d Antibes in Business Car: $98
- Departure Private Transfers from Cannes to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $108
- Nice Airport Transfers : Cannes City to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $108
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
-
Airport Bus€5.00
-
Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port: $9.41
- Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre: $9.41
- Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN: $9.41
- Airport Transfers: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Barcelona City Center to El-Prat Airport (BCN): $24
- Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport: $27
- Barcelona Airport Transfers: $27
- Barcelona Airport Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Bcn City Centre to Bcn Cruise Terminal: $29
- Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal: $29
- Private Transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Terminal: $29
- Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Cannes or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Cannes change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayCannes €36Barcelona €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cannes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cannes.
- Summer Fireworks and Dinner Catamaran Cruise from Cannes: $135
- Small-Group Evening Tour and Dinner in Monte Carlo from Cannes: $223
- Unforgettable night photos of the French Riviera and dinner in Monaco: $622
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
-
Sandwich€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach€8.28
-
Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
- Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
- Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden: $35
- Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Tour: $48
- Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona: $49
- Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!: $50
- Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona: $51
- Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert: $52
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $52
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit: $59
- Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket: $62
- 2-Hour Bites & Flavors Private Food Tour: $66
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cannes €24Barcelona €27
Tours and Activities in Cannes
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cannes are as follows:
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket: Cannes to Ste. Marguerite Island: $19
- Cannes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $43
- Cruise to Corniche d'Or: $44
- 4-Hour Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $44
- Photographic tour of Cannes with a Local: $46
- French Riviera Tour: Cannes, Antibes & Saint-Paul de Vence: $51
- Nice: Small-Group City Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Combo Ile Sainte-Marguerite Ferry & Corniche d'Or Cruise from Cannes: $54
- Sunset cruise / Cannes Lerins Islands: $55
- Guided Tour in History, Glamour & Cinema: $62
- Daytime or Sunset Catamaran Cruise from Cannes with Optional Lunch: $62
- Cannes 2.5-Hour E-bike Tour: $67
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
-
Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
-
Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap: $5.50
- Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights: $5.67
- Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game: $7.45
- Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket: $7.46
- History Museum of Catalonia Skip-The-Line Ticket: $9.08
- Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir: $9.95
- Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket: $9.95
- Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket: $9.95
- Guided Tour at Catalonia's Royal Academy of Medicine: $10
- Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts: $10
- IDEAL Frida Kahlo, the Life of an Icon Ticket: $10
- Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Entry Ticket: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCannes €14Barcelona €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cannes
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cannes:
- Grasse, Valbonne & Gourdon: Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $132
- Provence Wine Tour - Private Day Tour from Cannes: $342
- Private Day Trip: Wine Tasting Tour Including Pinic Lunch From Cannes: $559
- 5-Hour Private Cannes Shore Excursion: Eze, Nice, Wine Tasting: $658
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $9.08
- Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $19
- Barcelona Pub Crawl: $20
- Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $22
- Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona: $26
- Wine tasting & tapas: $39
- Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour: $44
- Wine Tasting near Sagrada Familia: $47
- Home Food and Wine Tasting with Wine Lover: $51
- Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $53
- Spanish wine tasting in a historic building with a Sommelier: $54
- Food Tasting Tapas and Wine Tour: $62
When comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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.
Related Articles for Cannes
Related Articles for Barcelona
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
Paphos vs. CannesPaphos vs. Barcelona
Santorini vs. Cannes
Santorini vs. Barcelona
Mykonos vs. Cannes
Mykonos vs. Barcelona
Kos vs. Cannes
Kos vs. Barcelona
Ios vs. Cannes
Ios vs. Barcelona
Antalya vs. Cannes
Antalya vs. Barcelona
Rhodes vs. Cannes
Rhodes vs. Barcelona
Portimao vs. Cannes
Portimao vs. Barcelona
Lagos vs. Cannes
Lagos vs. Barcelona
Faro vs. Cannes
Faro vs. Barcelona
Albufeira vs. Cannes
Albufeira vs. Barcelona
Corfu vs. Cannes
Corfu vs. Barcelona
Valencia vs. Cannes
Valencia vs. Barcelona
Palma de Mallorca vs. Cannes
Palma de Mallorca vs. Barcelona
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.