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

Should you visit Girona or Trieste?

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 Trieste. 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. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Trieste

Trieste is a cultural, historic, and dynamic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Girona and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Trieste?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Girona than Trieste. While Trieste is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Girona is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Trieste is known for its nightlife and beaches. Girona is more touristy than Trieste and is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. It is also home to The Girona Cathedral. Trieste is popular for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Girona different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Girona is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Girona or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Trieste 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 Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

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 Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

Trieste offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Girona or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Trieste?

Girona is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Girona or Trieste Better for Families?

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

Trieste is a very kid-friendly city. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

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 Trieste Better for Couples?

Girona and Trieste 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.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Girona or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Trieste are good 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 Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Girona or Trieste Better for Students?

Trieste 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 Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Trieste is a well-known 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.

Public transit in Trieste can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

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 Trieste a more walkable city?

Girona is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Girona?

How long in Girona or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Girona or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Girona, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Trieste. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Girona or Trieste?

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.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste. 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 Trieste?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Trieste. This city 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Girona during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Trieste because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Girona. In the summer, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Trieste. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Girona or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Trieste. 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 natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In October, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Trieste. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Girona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trieste during autumn. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Girona usually receives less rain than Trieste. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Girona or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Girona as well as Trieste. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the museums and the cuisine.

Girona is a little warmer than Trieste in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Girona often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in January than Trieste. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Trieste in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Girona is around the same temperature as Trieste. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Trieste averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

In April, Girona usually receives less rain than Trieste. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Girona