A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Granada or Arles?

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

Should I visit Granada or Arles? 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.

Granada

Granada is a charming, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Arles?

You'll generally find more things to do in Granada than Arles. Granada is bigger than Arles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Granada is better known for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Arles is more popular for its food. Granada is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Granada different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Granada or Arles?

Spend time exploring the world-class sights and museums in either Granada or Arles.

Travelers visit Granada from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Granada is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Granada is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Granada or Arles Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the world-class old towns in both Granada and Arles.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Hiking?

Granada is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Arles?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Granada and Arles.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Arles offers some nice shopping areas. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Families?

Granada is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Granada. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Arles make for a great place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Granada is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Students?

Granada is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Granada is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Granada or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Granada and Arles.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Granada or Arles a more walkable city?

Granada and Arles are great when it comes to walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Arles is a very walkable city. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Granada?

How long in Granada or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Granada or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Granada than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Arles 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 Granada.

One day in Granada or Arles?

In Granada, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Arles, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

In Arles, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Arles?

Granada is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Granada. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles 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.

A week in Granada or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Granada. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Arles?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Arles, 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 Granada or Arles?

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 Granada or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Arles. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Granada is a little warmer than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Arles during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Arles. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Arles. Many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Granada is much warmer than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Arles. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Arles. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Granada