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

Should you visit Girona or Siena?

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 Siena. 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. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Siena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Siena than Girona. While Girona is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Siena is very popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty, while Girona attracts visitors for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Siena is more touristy than Girona and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also well known for Piazza del Campo. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Girona different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Girona and Siena.

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.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Girona and Siena 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.

Siena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Girona or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena 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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

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 Siena Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the first-rate old town areas in both Girona and Siena.

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 Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Siena?

Girona is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Girona is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Girona or Siena Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Girona or Siena 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Girona or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Siena are nice 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 Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Girona or Siena Better for Students?

Siena 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 Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Both Girona and Siena offer nice 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.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Girona or Siena a more walkable city?

Girona is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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.

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Girona?

How long in Girona or Siena?

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

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

One day in Girona or Siena?

In Girona, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this medieval 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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 Siena. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the medieval 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 shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Siena. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Girona and Siena, we can see that Girona 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 Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Girona or Siena?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 24°C (75°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. Girona usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Girona usually receives less rain than Siena. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Girona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Girona in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Girona is around the same temperature as Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Siena. Most visitors come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Girona is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Girona in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Girona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Girona as well as Siena. The spring months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In April, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 13°C (55°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Girona often gets less sunshine than Siena. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Siena. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Girona