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

Should you visit Girona or Bari?

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 Girona and Bari. 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.

Girona

Girona is a ancient, charming, and beautiful city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Bari

Bari is a local, cultural, and authentic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Girona and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bari is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Girona is known for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Girona is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also home to San Nicola.

How is Girona different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Girona and Bari.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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

Bari 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 Bari, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Girona or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Bari offers plenty to do in the evening. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

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 Girona or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Bari offers a nice beach destination. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Girona or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Girona is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Bari?

Girona is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

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.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Girona or Bari Better for Families?

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

Bari is a very kid-friendly port city. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

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 Girona or Bari Better for Couples?

Girona is a great city for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

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.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Girona or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari 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.

Bari is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

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 Girona or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Bari. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Plenty of students 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 Girona or Bari Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Girona and Bari offer good public transit options.

Girona has a few public transit options. 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.

Bari has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Girona or Bari a more walkable city?

Girona is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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.

Bari is very walkable. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Girona?

How long in Girona or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Girona and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bari than in Girona. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Girona, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

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

One day in Girona or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Girona or Bari?

Girona is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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.

Five days in Girona or Bari?

You'll find shopping and museums around the medieval destination of Girona. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Girona or Bari?

The colorful city of Girona offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Bari. This port 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Girona and Bari, we can see that Girona is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari 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 Bari.

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Bari, 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 Girona or Bari?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Girona or Bari in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Girona as well as Bari. The summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In the summer, Girona is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Girona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. In the summer, Girona often gets less sunshine than Bari. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Girona is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Girona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bari during autumn. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Girona usually receives more rain than Bari. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Girona or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Girona during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bari in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Girona is cooler than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Girona often gets more sunshine than Bari. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bari. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Bari in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Bari. Many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Girona is cooler than Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. Girona usually receives less sunshine than Bari during spring. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Girona usually receives more rain than Bari. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Girona