A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Girona vs. Ravenna for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Girona or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna. 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. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a historic, off-the-beaten-path, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Ravenna?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Girona than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Girona is better known for its historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ravenna is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm. 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. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Girona different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Girona and Ravenna can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

Ravenna has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Girona or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Ravenna is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Ravenna. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

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 Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Girona can be explored in its historical center. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Ravenna?

Girona is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Girona is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Ravenna to go shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Girona or Ravenna Better for Families?

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

Ravenna is a very kid-friendly town. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

Girona and Ravenna both excellent 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.

Ravenna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Girona or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Ravenna 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 Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

Is Girona or Ravenna Better for Students?

Girona is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Ravenna is not popular with students.

Is Girona or Ravenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Girona and Ravenna 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.

Ravenna has some public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Girona or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Girona is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Girona?

How long in Girona or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Girona or Ravenna 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 Ravenna. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Girona than Ravenna. 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 Girona than Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

In Girona, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Girona or Ravenna?

In Girona, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Girona has to offer.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

Girona is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. 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 Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Girona. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Ravenna is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and Girona during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

Girona is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Girona usually gets less rain in July than Ravenna. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Ravenna. 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 Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Girona is a little warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Girona in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In October, Girona usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Girona or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Girona as well as Ravenna. Many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ravenna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Girona is generally much warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 8°C (46°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Girona usually gets more rain in January than Ravenna. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm during these months.

Girona is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Girona usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Girona