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

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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. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a friendly, colorful, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

How is Dublin different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Museums and Historical Sights?

Head to Barcelona if you're looking for good museums or notable landmarks, as it has more to offer than Dublin.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Barcelona are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Dublin is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.


Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Food?

Barcelona has a longer list of notable local restaurants than Dublin.

Known for it's food scene, Barcelona is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.

Dublin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

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?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Dublin or Barcelona.

Dublin has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Shopping?

Shopping in a popular activity in both Barcelona and Dublin.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.


Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Families?

Dublin and Barcelona are both fun destinations for the whole family.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. 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 very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.

Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin and Barcelona are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dublin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Dublin or Barcelona better for Students?

Barcelona is generally a better city for students than Dublin.

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.

Dublin is a good city to visit for students. 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?

Barcelona provides more public transit options than Dublin.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Barcelona can take you anywhere. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.


Is Dublin or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Dublin and Barcelona both are comparable when exploring on foot.

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

Barcelona is very walkable. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. 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.

Dublin and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Dublin
Pros
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Cons
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for students
  • Public transit not as usable
Barcelona
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty


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 Dublin.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Dublin is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days.


  • How many days in Dublin or Barcelona? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dublin 2-5 
    Barcelona 3-7

One day in Dublin or Barcelona?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. 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 fun destination of Dublin. 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. 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. 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.

Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Dublin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dublin is €112, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €123. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dublin and Barcelona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dublin €53
    Barcelona €75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dublin €106
    Barcelona €150

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dublin €14
    Barcelona €15
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    €15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • Ultra - Dublin Private Airport Transfer from Dublin Airport DUB to Cruise Port: $8.71
  • Ultra - Dublin Private Airport Transfer from Cruise Port to Dublin Airport DUB: $8.71
  • Ultra - Dublin Private Airport Transfer from Dublin Airport DUB to City Centre: $9.41
  • Ultra - Dublin Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Dublin Airport DUB: $9.41
  • Private Airport Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $28
  • Private Departure Airport transfer from Dublin City To Dublin Airport: $30
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Dublin to Dublin Airport (DUB): $36
  • Private Departure Transfer from Dublin City Center to Dublin Airport (DUB): $36
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Dublin City Center: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: Dublin Airport (DUB) to Dublin: $41
  • Dublin City Centre To Dublin Airport Private Car Transfer: $42
  • Dublin Airport To Dublin City Centre Private Car Transfer: $42

Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • 10 Trip Metro Ticket
    €7.80
  • Airport Bus
    €5.00
  • Metro
    €2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:

  • Airport Transfer: $127
  • Airport Transfers: $20
  • Airport, Port cruise & Hotel Transfers: $81
  • Ancient winery of vermouth, Tarragona & Reus: private Round-Trip Transfer: $311
  • Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona City or Airport to Andorra by Business Car: $445
  • Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona Port to Barcelona City by Business Car: $57
  • Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Barcelona Port to Barcelona City: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Barcelona Cruise Port to Bacelona City: $88
  • Barcelona - Salou private transfer: $198
  • Barcelona 1-Way Private Luxury Airport or Port Transfer: $47
  • Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Car Transfer: $46
  • Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Van Transfer: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Barcelona?

Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Dublin 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
    Dublin €39
    Barcelona €27
Typical Food prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    €3.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.

  • Skip the Line:Traditional Irish Night Show Ticket in Dublin with 3-Course Dinner: $37
  • Irish Craic & Cuisine (Cooking Class & Dinner): $68
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $74
  • Private Cooking Class in a Modern Home with Sea Views in Skerries, Dublin: $77
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $77
  • Howth Craft Beer and Seafood Tour for private groups: $87
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Dublin: $95
  • Christmas Finger Food & Canapé Cooking Class in Dublin City Center: $106
  • Learn to Make Your Own Sushi - 2.5 hour Cooking Class: $106
  • Private Dublin Walking Food Tour with a Local Food Historian: $180
  • Dublin Secret Food Tour w/ Private Tour Option: $206
  • 5-Day Essential Cooking Class in Dublin with Professional Chef: $485

Typical Food prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Hot Cocoa & Churro
    €4.15
  • Sandwich
    €1.70
  • Baguette & Horchata
    €3.80
  • Tapas on the beach
    €8.28
  • Gelatto
    €2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.

  • Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
  • Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
  • Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden: $35
  • Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Tour: $48
  • Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona: $49
  • Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!: $50
  • Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona: $51
  • Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert: $52
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $52
  • Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit: $59
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket: $62
  • 2-Hour Bites & Flavors Private Food Tour: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dublin €20
    Barcelona €27
Typical Entertainment prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    €26
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    €27
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    €4.50
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    €6.30

Tours and Activities in Dublin

Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Skip the Line: Dublin Christ Church Cathedral Admission Ticket: $9.33
  • Self-Guided City Experience: $12
  • Dublin Rogues Tour is a walking tour in Merrion Square Park: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $14
  • Virtual Dublin History, Culture & Craic Tour: $15
  • Dublin Walking Tour: The Dark Side: $16
  • Lonely Planet Experience: Dublin Highlights & Hidden Gems with a Local: $17
  • Silent Disco Walking Tour: $17
  • Historical 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Dublin: $17
  • Skip the Line: GPO Witness History Visitor Centre Admission Ticket: $17
  • Tour a piedi di Dublino in Italiano: $18
  • Dead Interesting Tour at Glasnevin Cemetery Museum: $18

Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    €42
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    €8.55
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    €6.00

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:

  • A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap: $5.50
  • Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights: $5.67
  • Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket: $7.46
  • History Museum of Catalonia Skip-The-Line Ticket: $9.08
  • Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket: $9.95
  • Guided Tour at Catalonia's Royal Academy of Medicine: $10
  • Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts: $10
  • IDEAL Frida Kahlo, the Life of an Icon Ticket: $10
  • Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Entry Ticket: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dublin €14
    Barcelona €14

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

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

  • Authentic Brewery Tour: $11
  • Generation Pub Crawl: $14
  • Dublin Literary Pub Crawl: $19
  • Jameson Distillery Guided Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $31
  • Lonely Planet Experiences: Private Whiskey Distillery Excursion: $541

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $9.08
  • Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $19
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl: $20
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $22
  • Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona: $26
  • Wine tasting & tapas: $39
  • Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour: $44
  • Wine Tasting near Sagrada Familia: $47
  • Home Food and Wine Tasting with Wine Lover: $51
  • Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $53
  • Spanish wine tasting in a historic building with a Sommelier: $54
  • Food Tasting Tapas and Wine Tour: $62

About these numbers

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.

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Dublin vs. Barcelona Travel Comparison

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