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

Should you visit Granada or Bordeaux?

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

Should I visit Granada or Bordeaux? 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. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Bordeaux?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bordeaux than Granada. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bordeaux is very popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Granada attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bordeaux is more touristy than Granada and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also well known for Cathédrale Saint-André. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Bordeaux is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Granada know how to have a good time. 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 Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Granada is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for Hiking?

Granada is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Bordeaux.

Granada is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bordeaux. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Bordeaux make for a high quality 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 Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Granada or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Both Granada and Bordeaux are high quality destinations for students.

Granada is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Bordeaux is very popular with students. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

Bordeaux is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bordeaux is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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

Is Granada or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Granada and Bordeaux are high quality 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.

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Granada?

How long in Granada or Bordeaux?

In either Granada or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Granada because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

Families should spend more time in Granada than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

The beautiful city of Granada offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Bordeaux, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Granada or Bordeaux?

Granada 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 Granada, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Bordeaux, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bordeaux has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Bordeaux?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Bordeaux?

Granada is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bordeaux. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In the summer, Granada is a little warmer than Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Bordeaux, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Bordeaux. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Bordeaux. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Bordeaux. Many travelers come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Granada is much warmer than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bordeaux. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Bordeaux in the Spring?

Both Bordeaux and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Granada in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Bordeaux. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Granada