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

Should you visit Girona or Volterra?

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 Volterra. 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 charming, beautiful, and colorful city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Volterra

Volterra is a historic, charming, and medieval town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Girona and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Volterra?

Both Volterra and Girona have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Girona is very popular for its shopping and quaint atmosphere, while Volterra attracts visitors for its food and small town charm. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Girona different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Girona and Volterra.

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.

Volterra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

Volterra 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 Volterra, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Both Girona and Volterra are reasonable 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 Volterra. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Girona or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Girona and Volterra.

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 Volterra can be explored in its historical center. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Volterra?

Girona is well known for shopping. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Girona or Volterra Better for Families?

Volterra is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Volterra is a family-friendly place to visit. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

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 Volterra Better for Couples?

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

Volterra is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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 Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Volterra 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 Volterra. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Is Girona or Volterra Better for Students?

Girona is a popular place for students. However, Volterra is not popular with students.

Girona is popular with students. 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

Volterra is not popular with students.

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

Girona is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Girona or Volterra a more walkable city?

Girona and Volterra both are amazing 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 Volterra. Most people explore the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Girona?

How long in Girona or Volterra?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Girona than Volterra 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 Volterra?

The beautiful city of Girona offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Volterra?

Girona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Girona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Volterra is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Volterra?

Girona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volterra. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Volterra?

Girona is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Volterra 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 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Girona or Volterra?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Girona and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Volterra. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Volterra. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 24°C (75°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Girona usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during summer. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Girona usually receives more rain than Volterra. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Volterra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Girona as well as Volterra. Many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

It's quite rainy in Volterra. Girona usually gets less rain in October than Volterra. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Volterra in the Winter?

Both Volterra and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Girona is around the same temperature as Volterra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Girona in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Volterra averages at about 7°C (45°F).

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

In January, Girona usually receives less rain than Volterra. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Volterra in the Spring?

Both Volterra and Girona during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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

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

Girona usually gets less rain in April than Volterra. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Girona