A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Versailles for Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Granada or Versailles?

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

Should I visit Granada or Versailles? 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles

Versailles is a historic, extensive, and beautiful palace. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums.

Granada and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Versailles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Granada than Versailles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Versailles is more touristy than Granada and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Granada is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also home to The Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the fantastic sights and museums in either Granada or Versailles.

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 Versailles are among the most recognizable in the world. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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

Granada is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a great city for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Granada has something for everybody. 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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Versailles does not have a 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Hiking?

Granada is a great city for hiking. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Versailles?

Granada is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Families?

Granada is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Versailles make for a very good 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 Versailles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Granada or Versailles Better for Students?

Granada is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

Granada is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Versailles 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 Versailles is fairly effecient and thorough. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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 Versailles a more walkable city?

Granada and Versailles are very good 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.

Versailles is a very walkable city. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Granada?

How long in Granada or Versailles?

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Granada, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Granada, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. 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 Versailles has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Versailles?

Granada, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles 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 Versailles?

Granada is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Versailles?

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

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 Versailles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Versailles. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Granada is a little warmer than Versailles in the summer. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Versailles fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Versailles this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Versailles. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Versailles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Granada as well as Versailles. Many visitors come to Granada in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Granada is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Granada in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Versailles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Versailles. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. In January, Granada is generally much warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 12°C (54°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Versailles. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Versailles in the Spring?

Both Versailles and Granada during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Granada because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

Granada is a little warmer than Versailles in the spring. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Versailles fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Versailles. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Granada