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

Should you visit Girona or Venice?

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 Venice. 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Venice

Venice is a beautiful, romantic, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Girona and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Venice than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Venice is more popular for its museums, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Girona is known for its food and small town charm. Venice is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also home to St. Mark's Basilica. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Girona different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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 Venice are among the most recognizable in the world. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Girona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Girona or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Both Girona and Venice are decent when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Girona specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Venice. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Girona or Venice Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Venice can be explored in its historical center. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Venice?

Venice 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 Venice make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

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

Venice is a very kid-friendly city. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

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

Venice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Venice is a great city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very popular place to visit for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice 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 Venice can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Girona and Venice both are first-rate 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 Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Venice or Girona?

How long in Girona or Venice?

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

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

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

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

One day in Girona or Venice?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Girona or Venice?

Girona 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.

Venice 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 Venice?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Venice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Venice?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Girona. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Venice. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Venice?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Girona as well as Venice. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Girona is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Girona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Venice. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Girona this time of the year. In the summer, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Venice in the Autumn?

Both Venice and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Girona in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Girona is generally a little warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Venice during autumn. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Girona usually receives more rain than Venice. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Girona or Venice in the Winter?

Both Venice and Girona during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Venice because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Venice can be very cold. Girona is much warmer than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Girona often gets more sunshine than Venice. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Venice. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Venice in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Venice. The spring months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

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

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Venice during spring. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Girona usually receives more rain than Venice. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Girona