A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cannes vs. Barcelona for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Couples

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 youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Cannes and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Barcelona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Cannes. Barcelona is bigger than Cannes, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is better known for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Cannes is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Cannes is well known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Barcelona is well known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia.

How is Cannes different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cannes or Barcelona?

Barcelona is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Barcelona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cannes or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cannes is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Cannes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for nightlife.

Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Cannes has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Music?

Both Cannes and Barcelona offer amazing 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 known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Resorts?

Cannes is renowned for its resorts. However, Barcelona is not a resort destination.

Cannes is a world class resort vacation destination. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Barcelona is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a resort city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.

The beaches at Cannes attract visitors from all over. 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 offers a nice beach destination. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. 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.

Many visitors go to Barcelona to see the historical old town. 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. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Barcelona?

Both Cannes and Barcelona are amazing 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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. 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 notable 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 family-friendly resort city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Cannes is renowned for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Cannes is a great resort city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Barcelona is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Cannes is not popular with students.

Is Cannes or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Barcelona is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Barcelona offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Cannes or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Cannes is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable resort city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Cannes Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

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 in Cannes. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cannes, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Cannes 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 Barcelona.

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 luxury 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Barcelona, 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 Cannes or Barcelona?

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 Cannes or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cannes is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cannes in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Barcelona in the Autumn?

Both Barcelona and Cannes during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cannes in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cannes is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 17°C (63°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Barcelona. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Barcelona. Most visitors come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cannes is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Barcelona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Barcelona. The spring months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In the spring, Cannes is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cannes in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Cannes