A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Music, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Manchester or Barcelona?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a colorful, laid-back, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Manchester and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Manchester, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Manchester different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Barcelona?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Manchester or Barcelona.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Barcelona can be an interesting and educational experience. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Barcelona offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Barcelona. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Barcelona is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

Barcelona is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Barcelona?

Barcelona is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Families?

Manchester is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Manchester is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Is Manchester or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester and Barcelona both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Barcelona can get you to some places easily. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Manchester or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Manchester is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Manchester is somewhat walkable. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Barcelona?

Both Manchester and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Manchester. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Manchester 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 Barcelona.

One day in Manchester or Barcelona?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With live music and food around the historic city of Barcelona, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Barcelona?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the big city destination of Barcelona, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Manchester or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Manchester. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Barcelona?

Manchester is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Barcelona, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Barcelona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Barcelona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Barcelona 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Barcelona.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manchester Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Barcelona, 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 Manchester or Barcelona?

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 Manchester or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Manchester is cooler than Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Barcelona. Many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Manchester is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Barcelona. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. In January, Manchester is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Manchester is much colder than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Barcelona. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Manchester