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.
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
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.
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catalonia
Also for Catalonia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port Aventura:
$296
-
Private Transfer Tarragona Port to Barcelona/Hotels:
$296
-
Transfer airport Barcelona to Barcelona city centre. (1 to 15 pax):
$294
-
Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch (optional):
$284
-
Palamós to Barcelona Airport (BNC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$280
-
Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Palamós - Arrival Private Transfer:
$279
-
Private Transfer from Port Aventura to Barcelona Airport:
$274
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Calella de Palafrugell:
$268
-
Private and Customizable Transfer from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar:
$262
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Girona airport:
$257
-
Private Transfer From Tarragona To Barcelona With a 2 Hour Stop:
$249
-
Private Transfer From Barcelona To Tarragona With a 2 Hour Stop:
$249
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:
$129
-
San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer:
$285
-
San Sebastián Private Transfer from the city centre to San Sebastián Airport:
$238
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño:
$276
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port:
$217
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao:
$172
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport:
$172
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Pamplona city:
$259
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town:
$225
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Elciego town:
$225
-
Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Bilbao city:
$172
-
Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Biarritz Airport:
$189
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:
-
Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner:
$33
-
Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit:
$40
-
Top Awarded Flamenco Show Tablao Cordobes with dinner option:
$40
-
Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local:
$43
-
Paella and Sangria Cooking Class in Three Hours:
$51
-
Barcelona Paella and Sangria Cooking Experience:
$56
-
Tipsy Food Tour with Paella and Sangria and History in Barcelona:
$62
-
Barcelona Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience:
$67
-
Unique Sunset Sailing, Tapas, Drinks, with Music & Dinner Options:
$67
-
Barcelona: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class with Sangria Making:
$78
-
Barcelona Tapas & Local Food Tour: Traditional Taverns & Gems:
$79
-
Plant Based Food Tour in Barcelona:
$86
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:
-
Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local:
$101
-
Bilbao Authentic Food Tour with 9 Pintxos and Local Drinks:
$111
-
Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao:
$114
-
Traditional Basque Pintxos Cooking Class in Bilbao:
$114
-
The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local:
$120
-
San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local:
$120
-
Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake Cooking Class in Bilbao:
$143
-
Basque cuisine cooking class:
$148
-
San Sebastian Market Visit and Cooking Class:
$148
-
Authentic Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian with Local Chef:
$159
-
Basque Cooking Experience: Market Tour & Hands-On Class English:
$159
-
Gourmet Pintxos & Premium Wines small groups Food Tour:
$205
Entertainment
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
-
(ENG) Barcelona Premium Chocolate Tour:
$136
-
1 hour Shared Sailing Tour in Barcelona with Open Bar & Snacks:
$29
-
2,5h Barcelona Gaudí Segway Tour:
$63
-
2-Hour Private Tour of Music in Barcelona:
$171
-
2-Hour Small Group Cruise from Barcelona:
$63
-
3 Hours Barcelona Guided Gaudi E-Bike Tour:
$51
-
3-Hour Private Barcelona Gothic Quarter Photography Tour:
$168
-
3-Hour Private Gaudi Bike Tour:
$177
-
4 Hours Barcelona Highlights Tour by Car:
$171
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born: A Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
-
ANGLE - Experience Barcelona With Local Photographer:
$299
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:
$106
-
"A la Vasca" - Top Notch Gastro Cultural Experience:
$200
-
Best Private Pintxos tour in San Sebastian:
$165
-
Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour lunch included:
$272
-
Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and San Sebastian Tour from Bilbao:
$80
-
Bike Tour in San Sebastian:
$49
-
Bilbao : Highlights Private Bike tour With A Guide:
$160
-
Bilbao : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour):
$51
-
Bilbao Custom-Made Private Tour max 3ppl.:
$131
-
Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Admission With Audio Guide Tour:
$13
-
Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket:
$34
-
Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Ticket:
$34
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Catalonia
Also in Catalonia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl: Red Garter and Beach Bars:
$12
-
Visit winery and wine tasting:
$16
-
Pub Crawl Barcelona | 4h Experience | Club Entry:
$17
-
Pub Crawl Barcelona: 4 nightclubs + skip-the-line entry:
$17
-
Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona:
$17
-
Barcelona Rooftop Party + Bar crawl with VIP Club Entry:
$23
-
Barcelona: Bar Crawl at Gaixample:
$24
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl with Karaoke and Beach bars and VIP Club:
$29
-
Vineyard walk and wine tasting in l’Empordà:
$30
-
Barcelona: Blind Wine Tasting Game, Guess the Price:
$33
-
Barcelona: Magic Montjuïc Tour, Wine Tasting & Best photo spots!:
$34
-
Winery tour & wine tasting in Penedès region 40min from Barcelona:
$36
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:
$57
-
The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local:
$113
-
Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao:
$114
-
San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour:
$117
-
Getaria Txakoli wine tour from San Sebastian:
$165
-
Small Group Basque Food, Pintxos and Wine Tour in San Sebastian:
$187
-
Private Basque Vineyard Visit: Txakoli Wine Tasting from Bilbao:
$200
-
Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian.:
$217
-
Private Half Day Txakoli Wine Tour & Getaria Fishing Village:
$234
-
Rioja wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from San Sebastian:
$285
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?.
Related Articles for Catalonia
Related Articles for Basque Country