A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Girona vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 beautiful, colorful, and medieval 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a religious, historic, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Girona than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Girona is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Girona and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Also, Girona is famous for The Girona Cathedral.

How is Girona different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Girona is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Girona is a city with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Girona is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Girona is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel offers some nice hiking trails. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Girona is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel as a family destination.

Girona is not the most family-friendly destination. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not always a place people visit with their families. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Girona is very good for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Girona is popular with students. 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

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel offer notable 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has some public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Girona is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Girona Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Girona?

How long in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. In our opinion, Girona has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Girona than Mont-Saint-Michel. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Girona than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Girona.

One day in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and shopping around the destination of Girona, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the medieval city of Girona, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the ancient destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Girona is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the inspiring destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Girona Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 1120 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Girona is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Girona usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Girona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Girona as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Girona in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Girona is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Girona in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Girona often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Girona is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 8°C (46°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Girona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Girona during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Girona is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Girona