A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heidelberg vs. Girona for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Heidelberg or Girona?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Heidelberg and Girona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Girona

Girona is a ancient, charming, and beautiful city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Girona?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Girona than Heidelberg. While Heidelberg is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Girona is more popular for its museums, shopping, and small town charm, while Heidelberg is known for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Heidelberg is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. It is also home to The Girona Cathedral.

How is Heidelberg different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Girona and Heidelberg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Heidelberg or Girona?

Girona is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Girona. 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Girona can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Girona makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Heidelberg or Girona Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Heidelberg and Girona.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Girona has a world-famous historical area. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Girona?

Girona is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Girona Better for Families?

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

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

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 Heidelberg or Girona Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Girona both excellent destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Girona is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Heidelberg or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg or Girona Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Girona are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Girona is a good town to visit for students. 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 Heidelberg or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Heidelberg is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Heidelberg can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Girona has some public transit options. 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 Heidelberg or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Girona is a very easy city to get around on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heidelberg or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heidelberg than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heidelberg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in Heidelberg than Girona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Heidelberg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Girona than Heidelberg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Girona that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Heidelberg or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and food around the beautiful city of Girona, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Girona, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Girona?

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Girona, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Girona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Girona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Girona?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In July, Heidelberg is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Girona. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Girona. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Heidelberg is cooler than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Girona. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Girona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. In the winter, Heidelberg is much colder than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Girona. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Girona. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Heidelberg is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Girona during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Girona. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Heidelberg