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

Should you visit Granada or Edinburgh?

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

Should I visit Granada or Edinburgh? 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 beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic 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. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Granada and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Edinburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Granada. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its theatre productions, music, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Granada attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is more touristy than Granada and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the terrific sights and museums in either Granada or Edinburgh.

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 Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for theatre. However, Granada is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Granada is not a theatre destination.

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

Granada is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Granada has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

Both Granada and Edinburgh have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Edinburgh know how to have a good time. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for live music. However, Granada is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Granada is not a live music destination.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the terrific old towns in both Granada and Edinburgh.

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, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Hiking?

Granada is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh Better for Families?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Edinburgh make for a excellent 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 Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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.

Is Granada or Edinburgh Better for Students?

Both Granada and Edinburgh are excellent 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.

Edinburgh is very popular with students. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Granada and Edinburgh.

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 Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Granada or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Granada?

How long in Granada or Edinburgh?

In either Granada or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

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

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

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

One day in Granada or Edinburgh?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Granada. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Edinburgh?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Granada. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Edinburgh?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Granada.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?

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 Granada or Edinburgh in the Summer?

Both Edinburgh and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Granada in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Granada is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

Both Edinburgh and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in October than Edinburgh. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Edinburgh in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Edinburgh. The winter months attract visitors to Granada because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Granada is much warmer than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Edinburgh in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Edinburgh. The natural beauty are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Edinburgh. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Granada