A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Granada. Although Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations, Granada has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Granada and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Spend time exploring the world-class sights and museums in either Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel both to be nice destinations.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mont-Saint-Michel. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Granada is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Granada is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Granada is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Granada is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Couples visit Granada frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Granada is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable city. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Granada?

How long in Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Families should spend more time in Granada than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Granada, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find food and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Granada, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. 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 museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Granada. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 2980 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Granada is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Granada is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Granada