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

Should you visit Granada or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Granada or Montpellier? 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 food, hiking, and shopping.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Montpellier?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Granada than Montpellier, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Granada is better known for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Montpellier is more popular for its beaches and shopping. Granada is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra. Montpellier is well known for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Granada different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Granada on the map. 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.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Foodies will find both Granada and Montpellier both to be notable 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 Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Granada is not a beach destination.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

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

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, Montpellier offers plenty to see. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Hiking?

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

Montpellier is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Montpellier?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

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 Montpellier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Montpellier.

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 Montpellier. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Montpellier 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 Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Montpellier are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Montpellier is a great city to visit for backpackers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Granada or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier is fairly effecient and thorough. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier a more walkable city?

Granada and Montpellier are superb 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.

Montpellier is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Granada?

How long in Granada or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Montpellier. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Montpellier.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier 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 Montpellier.

One day in Granada or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Granada. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the museums. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Montpellier, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Granada. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Montpellier, 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 Montpellier has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Montpellier?

The charming city of Granada offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Montpellier is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Granada. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Montpellier. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Montpellier. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, 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 Montpellier. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Montpellier. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Montpellier. 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 and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Granada is a little warmer than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Montpellier. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Montpellier. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Montpellier. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Granada