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

Should you visit Girona or Rome?

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 Rome. 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. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Rome

Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled 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 Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Girona is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Rome is more touristy than Girona and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

The Colosseum

How is Girona different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome 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 Rome are among the most recognizable in the world. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome 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 Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Rome is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

Rome 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 Rome Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Girona or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

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.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Rome?

Rome 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 Rome make it a world-class shopping destination. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome Better for Families?

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

Rome is a very kid-friendly city. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

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 Rome Better for Couples?

Girona and Rome 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.

Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Girona or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome Better for Students?

Rome 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.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

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

Rome 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 Rome can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Girona and Rome 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 Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Girona?

How long in Girona or Rome?

Both Girona and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Girona. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Girona, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

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

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

One day in Girona or Rome?

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.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Girona or Rome?

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.

Rome is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Girona or Rome?

You'll find shopping and museums around the ancient 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 Rome. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Rome?

The ancient 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.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Girona and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Girona or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Rome. Most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Girona is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Girona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Girona usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Girona usually receives more rain than Rome. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Girona as well as Rome. The autumn months attract visitors to Girona because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In October, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Girona often gets less sunshine than Rome. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Girona is around the same temperature as Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Girona usually receives less rain than Rome. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Girona during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Girona is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Girona often gets less sunshine than Rome. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Girona