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

Should you visit Granada or Urbino?

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

Should I visit Granada or Urbino? 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 cultural, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Urbino?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Granada than Urbino, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Granada is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Urbino is more popular for its food. Granada is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra. Urbino is well known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Granada different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Granada has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Urbino 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 Urbino. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

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 Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Granada is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Many people head to Granada for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

Granada offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Granada is great for hiking. However, Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Granada for the hiking trails. 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Urbino?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Granada and Urbino.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. 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.

Urbino offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for Families?

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

Granada offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Urbino 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 Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Granada. 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Granada or Urbino Better for Students?

Both Granada and Urbino 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.

Urbino is very popular with students. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

Granada is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Granada offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Granada or Urbino a more walkable city?

Granada is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Granada?

How long in Granada or Urbino?

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

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

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 Urbino, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 Urbino?

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

Five days in Granada or Urbino?

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.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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 Urbino. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Urbino?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Urbino. Many visitors come to Granada in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Urbino. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Granada as well as Urbino. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Granada is a little warmer than Urbino in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Granada usually gets less rain in October than Urbino. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Granada because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. In the winter, Granada is much warmer than Urbino. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Urbino averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Urbino. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Granada during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Granada