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

Should you visit Dublin or Girona?

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

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

Dublin

Dublin is a friendly, welcoming, and fun city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Dublin and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Girona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dublin than Girona. Dublin is bigger than Girona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dublin is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Girona is more popular for its food, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Dublin is more touristy than Girona and is known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Also, Dublin is famous for The Guinness Storehouse. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Dublin different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Girona 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 Girona?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Dublin and Girona.

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 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 Dublin or Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Girona is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Girona. 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Dublin or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Dublin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

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 Dublin or Girona Better for Music?

Dublin is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Girona is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin is very popular with diverse venues. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is terrific for its old town. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Girona has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Girona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Girona 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Dublin or Girona Better for Families?

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

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.

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 Dublin or Girona Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin 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.

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.

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 Dublin or Girona Better for Students?

Dublin and Girona are notable places to visit for students.

Dublin is popular with 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.

It's common for students to visit Girona. 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

Is Dublin 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 Dublin and Girona.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

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 Dublin or Girona a more walkable city?

Dublin and Girona both are world-class 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.

Girona is a very easy city to get around on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dublin or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dublin than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dublin, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in Dublin than Girona. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin 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 Dublin.

One day in Dublin or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dublin. 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.

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 Dublin or Girona?

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. 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 Dublin or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

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 Dublin or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the laid-back destination of Dublin. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Dublin and Girona, we can see that Dublin 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 Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Girona?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Girona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Girona. Many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Dublin is much colder than Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dublin usually receives more rain than Girona. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dublin or Girona in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Dublin is cooler than Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Girona. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dublin 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 January, Dublin is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dublin usually receives more rain than Girona. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dublin or Girona in the Spring?

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

Dublin is cooler than Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Girona. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Dublin