A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Girona for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Granada or Girona?

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

Should I visit Granada or Girona? 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 historic, beautiful, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Granada than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Granada is very popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Girona attracts visitors for its food, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Granada is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Granada different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Girona 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 Girona. 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.

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 Girona Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Granada offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. 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.

Is Granada or Girona Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Granada and Girona.

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, 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.

Is Granada or Girona Better for Hiking?

Granada is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Girona is not a hiking destination.

Granada is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Girona?

Girona 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 Girona. 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.

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 Girona Better for Families?

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

Granada is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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 Granada or Girona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Girona make for a superb 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 Girona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Granada or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Granada or Girona Better for Students?

Granada is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Granada. 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.

Plenty of students visit Girona. 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

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

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

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 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.

Is Granada or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona 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 Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Granada?

How long in Granada or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Granada or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Granada than Girona 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 Girona.

Families should spend more time in Granada than Girona. 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.

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Girona, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Girona?

Granada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

In Girona, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Girona has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Girona 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 Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Granada. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Girona. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Girona. 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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Girona?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Girona. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Girona. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Girona. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Granada is much warmer than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Girona. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Girona. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Girona. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Granada