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

Should you visit Girona or Milan?

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 Milan. 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 medieval, ancient, and charming 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.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Girona and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Girona is known for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Girona different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Girona and Milan.

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.

Milan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Milan 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 Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Milan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Girona is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Milan The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Girona or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the fantastic old town areas in both Girona and Milan.

With a famous historical old-town, Girona offers plenty to see. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

The rich history of Milan can be explored in its historical center. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Milan?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Milan make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Girona or Milan Better for Families?

Milan is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

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 Milan Better for Couples?

Girona and Milan both very good destinations for a couple.

Girona is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Milan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Girona or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan 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.

Milan is a great city to visit for backpackers. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

Milan is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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 Milan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Milan can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Girona has some 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.

Is Girona or Milan a more walkable city?

Girona and Milan both are fantastic when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Milan or Girona?

How long in Girona or Milan?

In either Girona or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Girona because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Girona, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

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

One day in Girona or Milan?

In Girona, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this colorful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan 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 Girona or Milan?

Girona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. 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 Girona or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural big city of Milan. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Girona as well as Milan. Most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milan because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Girona is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Girona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. In the summer, Girona often gets more sunshine than Milan. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in July than Milan. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Girona because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

In October, Girona is generally a little warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Milan during autumn. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Milan. In October, Girona usually receives less rain than Milan. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Girona or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Girona during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milan. Girona is much warmer than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Girona often gets more sunshine than Milan. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in January than Milan. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Milan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Milan. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Milan in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Girona is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Milan averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Girona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Milan during spring. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Girona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milan. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Milan and Girona