A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Catalonia vs. Basque Country for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Catalonia or Basque Country?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Catalonia and Basque Country. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Catalonia or Basque Country?

Catalonia

Catalonia is a famous autonomous community in Spain. It is situated in the northeastern part of the country and consists of four provinces. The provinces consist of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Barcelona is not only the capital of Catalonia, but is also the biggest city in the region. Because Barcelona is such a large city and Catalonia’s long history of international trade, the area is a very popular tourist destination. Another reason for Catalonia’s success is its temperate climate. Two other reasons that make Catalonia different from other areas in Spain are, people speak Catalan, Spanish and Aranese, and its climate has both beaches and mountain ranges.

Basque Country

Upon its lush green hills that tower over the deep blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean, you will find its perfected oceanic climate and breathtaking landscape to be only the beginning of Basque Country, Spain. Basque Country, or Euskadi, is an autonomous community located in northern Spain. This community was based off the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country, a legal document that enabled Basque people to develop on Spanish territory. Due to its strong traditional currents in Spanish heritage as well as magnificent architecture, Basque Country is a hotspot for tourists everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Basque Country or Catalonia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Catalonia Prices
    Spain Prices
    Basque Country Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Catalonia 195
    Basque Country 144

The average daily cost (per person) in Catalonia is €195, while the average daily cost in Basque Country is €144. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Catalonia and Basque Country in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Catalonia 88
    Basque Country 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Catalonia 176
    Basque Country 114
Compare Hotels in Catalonia and Basque Country

Looking for a hotel in Catalonia or Basque Country? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Catalonia


Hotels in Basque Country


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Catalonia 27
    Basque Country 25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catalonia

Also for Catalonia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Palamós to Barcelona Airport (BNC) - Departure Private Transfer: $288
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $282
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $276
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Calella de Palafrugell: $276
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Girona airport: $264
  • Private Transfer From Tarragona To Barcelona With a 2 Hour Stop: $257
  • La Roca Village: private Round-Trip Transfer: $252
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Reuse Airport: $235
  • Transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $235
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona: $233
  • Barcelona Airport Private Taxi Transfer to Costa Brava, Lloret.: $233
  • Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Sitges - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $232

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basque Country

Also for Basque Country, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $133
  • Transfer S. Sebastian to Bilbao or S. Sebastian Airports by Sedan: $74
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Vitoria city: $97
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Elciego town: $231
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport: $97
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Pamplona Airport: $267
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport: $284
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $177
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Pamplona city: $266
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Logroño city: $276
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town: $231
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Bilbao city: $177

Is it cheaper to fly into Catalonia or Basque Country?

Prices for flights to both Basque Country and Catalonia 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 day
    Catalonia 74
    Basque Country 63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catalonia

For Catalonia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tipsy Food Tour with Paella and Sangria and History in Barcelona: $41
  • Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit: $53
  • Top Awarded Flamenco Show Tablao Cordobes with dinner option: $56
  • Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $63
  • Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour: $69
  • Barcelona Boqueria Market e Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $81
  • Barcelona: Gothic And El Born Food Tour with Tapas and Wine: $81
  • Barcelona Culinary Experience: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class: $88
  • Barcelona Rooftop Paella Cooking Class with Sangria & Local Host: $88
  • Plant Based Food Tour in Barcelona: $88
  • Barcelona : Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Exclusive Tour: $93
  • Girona Morning Food Tour & Local Market: $99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basque Country

For Basque Country, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour and Pintxos in Tolosa, 4 Food and Drink Tastings: $57
  • Best Street Food Tour of San Sebastian with a Local Guide: $87
  • Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $88
  • San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $88
  • Bilbao Authentic Food Tour with 9 Pintxos and Local Drinks: $114
  • Traditional Basque Pintxos Cooking Class in Bilbao: $117
  • The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $123
  • Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake Cooking Class (in Bilbao): $147
  • Basque cuisine cooking class: $153
  • Basque Cooking Experience: Market Tour & Hands-On Class English: $163
  • Authentic Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian with Local Chef: $163
  • Bilbao Food Tour Market Pintxos and Wine: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Catalonia 31
    Basque Country 30

Tours and Activities in Catalonia

For Catalonia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "The Shadow of the Wind" Novel Walking Tour: $21
  • (French)Barcelona Premium Pastry Tour: Over 100 Years of History: $116
  • 1 Day Private Sailing Tour from Sitges: $111
  • 1 hour Shared Sailing Tour in Barcelona with Open Bar & Snacks: $29
  • 1 hour Wakeboarding Adventure in Sitges for All Levels: $235
  • 1,5 Hour sunset Tour on a Historical Boat with music DJ &, drinks: $57
  • 2 hour Shared Sailing Tour in Barcelona with Open Bar & Snacks: $53
  • 2-Hour Private Photo Walking Tour: $117
  • 2.5h E-Bike Tour: Parks, Gardens, Beach & Panoramic City Views: $41
  • 20 min Barceloneta and the Beach Supercar City Tour: $115
  • 2h Private visit to the National Art Museum MNAC with tickets: $218
  • 3-Hour French Tour with Boqueria Point of Sale: $34

Tours and Activities in Basque Country

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Basque Country.

  • " Basque Farm House & Cider house" tour + meal from San Sebastian: $109
  • Artist-Guided Tour of the Guggenheim Museum: $105
  • Big Group Paddle Adventure: $235
  • Bike Tour in San Sebastian: $50
  • Bike tour with Pintxos & Drinks in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao Seaside): $70
  • Bilbao : Highlights Private Bike tour With A Guide: $164
  • Bilbao Exclusive Private Walking Tour: $41
  • Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Admission With Audio Guide Tour: $37
  • Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket: $35
  • Bilbao Highlights 3-hour E-Bike tour: Small Group or Private Tour: $57
  • Bilbao Highlights Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $35
  • Bilbao Icons and Photo Safari 2 Hours Walking Tour: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Catalonia 21
    Basque Country 20

Sample the Local Flavors in Catalonia

Also in Catalonia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Amazing Bar Crawl in Barcelona: $15
  • Visit winery and wine tasting: $16
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING -The Best Party tour & VIP Club Entry: $18
  • Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $18
  • Largest Bar Crawl in Barcelona: $18
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $23
  • Vineyard walk and wine tasting in l’Empordà: $31
  • Barcelona: Magic Montjuïc Tour, Wine Tasting & Best photo spots!: $33
  • Winery tour & wine tasting in Penedès region 40min from Barcelona: $38
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $41
  • Barcelona Picasso Museum & Optional El Born Tapas & Wine Tour: $47
  • Ham Experience Premium : Iberian Ham & Wine Tasting in Barcelona: $57

Sample the Local Flavors in Basque Country

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Basque Country:

  • Rioja & Txakoli Wine Tasting in Bilbao with a Local Sommelier: $59
  • The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $116
  • Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $117
  • San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour: $121
  • Getaria Txakoli wine tour from San Sebastian: $170
  • Small Group Basque Food, Pintxos and Wine Tour in San Sebastian: $192
  • Txakoli wine tour from Bilbao: $194
  • Private Basque Vineyard Visit: Txakoli Wine Tasting from Bilbao: $205
  • Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian.: $211
  • Private Half Day Txakoli Wine Tour & Getaria Fishing Village: $241
  • Private Txakoli wine tour in Getaria from San Sebastian: $293
  • Architectural Rioja Wine Tour: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios (Bilbao): $293


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

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