A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Girona for Food, Old Town, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Chania or Girona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Girona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a historic, idyllic, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient 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.

Chania and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Girona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chania than Girona. While Girona is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chania is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Girona is known for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Chania is more touristy than Girona and is known for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also home to The Venetian Harbor. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Chania different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chania or Girona.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Chania can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Girona. 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.

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

Chania is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Chania, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Chania 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 Chania. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

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 Chania or Girona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Beaches?

Chania is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Chania offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Chania or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Hiking?

Chania is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Girona is not a hiking destination.

Chania is a popular spot for hiking. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Girona?

Girona is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chania 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 Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Families?

Chania is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Chania is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

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 Chania or Girona Better for Couples?

Chania and Girona are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Girona is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a great city to visit for backpackers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

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.

Is Chania or Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a nice place to visit for students. However, Chania 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

Chania is not popular with students.

Is Chania 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 Chania and Girona.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

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 Chania or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Chania 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.

Chania is very walkable. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Chania?

How long in Chania or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chania or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chania than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania than Girona 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Chania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Chania or Girona?

Chania 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.

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 Chania or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Chania or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Chania. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient 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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Girona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Girona. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chania is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°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 Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Girona during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Girona. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chania as well as Girona. Many visitors come to Chania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Chania is a little warmer than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets more sunshine than Girona. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Girona. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Girona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chania is much warmer than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Chania usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Chania. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Girona. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Chania during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In April, Chania is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Chania. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Girona. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Chania