A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dublin vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Music, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Dublin or Barcelona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Barcelona, 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a friendly, welcoming, and fun city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Dublin travel costs.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a friendly, high energy, and youthful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Barcelona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Barcelona travel costs.

Dublin and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Barcelona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Dublin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Dublin and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Dublin different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Dublin and Barcelona.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Dublin and Barcelona.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Barcelona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Dublin or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dublin or Barcelona has a better nightlife scene.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Barcelona Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Dublin or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

Barcelona has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Dublin or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Dublin and Barcelona both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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 Dublin or Barcelona?

Barcelona is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Barcelona make it a world-class shopping destination. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Dublin or Barcelona More Beautiful?

Barcelona is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Barcelona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city offers many nice viewpoints that look down on the skyline from the surrounding hills. There are also nice parks and interesting architecture.

Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Dublin or Barcelona Better for Families?

Dublin is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Barcelona is a family-friendly 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 Dublin or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Dublin is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Dublin or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Barcelona is a great destination for students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Barcelona is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. 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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Dublin is renowned for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable 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 Dublin Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Barcelona?

Both Dublin 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 Dublin. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dublin, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Dublin 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 Dublin or Barcelona?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dublin or Barcelona?

You'll find live music and food around the welcoming destination of Dublin. 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 city has to offer. This 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 Dublin or Barcelona?

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back city of Dublin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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 Dublin or Barcelona?

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Barcelona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Barcelona. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dublin is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 16°C (60°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dublin usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dublin or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Barcelona. Many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Dublin is much colder than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Dublin is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dublin in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dublin usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dublin or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Dublin during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Dublin is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 8°C (47°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Barcelona. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Dublin