A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Giverny vs. Madrid for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Giverny or Madrid?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Giverny or Madrid? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Giverny

Giverny is a picturesque, peaceful, and serene town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Madrid

Madrid is a compact, friendly, and authentic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Giverny and Madrid: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Madrid?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Madrid. Although Giverny and Madrid are popular destinations, Madrid has more sights and attractions for tourists. Madrid is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Madrid and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Madrid is famous for its art and architecture, its tapas and culinary scene, and its lively flamenco dancing. It is also well known for The Prado Museum.

How is Giverny different from Madrid?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid and Giverny. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Giverny or Madrid?

Giverny is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Giverny. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Madrid offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

Is the Food Better in Giverny or Madrid? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Madrid is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. There are amazing markets where you can grab a meal or snack. There are also many high quality restaurants around town where you're guaranteed a good meal. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Nightlife?

Madrid is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Madrid for the nightlife scene. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Music?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Giverny is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Madrid. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.

Giverny is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Madrid?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Madrid draws large crowds to its stores. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Families?

Madrid is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Madrid is very family-friendly. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Giverny and Madrid make for a excellent place to visit.

Giverny is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Madrid is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Madrid is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Madrid. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Students?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Madrid. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.

Giverny is not popular with students.

Is Giverny or Madrid Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Madrid is top-notch. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Giverny or Madrid a more walkable city?

Madrid is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Madrid is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

For even more information, also check out Is Giverny Worth Visiting? and Is Madrid Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Madrid or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Madrid?

In either Giverny or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Madrid than Giverny because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Giverny, and 2-5 days is enough time in Madrid.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Madrid than Giverny 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 Madrid.

One day in Giverny or Madrid?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Giverny. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Because Madrid is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Giverny or Madrid?

Giverny 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.

Because Madrid is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Madrid has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Madrid?

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

Madrid is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Madrid has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Giverny or Madrid?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene destination of Giverny. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Madrid. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Madrid. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Giverny and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Giverny Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 5530 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny and Madrid, 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.