A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Girona for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or Girona?

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 Girona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a beautiful, colorful, and medieval city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Manchester and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Girona attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Manchester different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Manchester or Girona.

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 Girona can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Both Manchester and Girona offer high quality 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 Girona. 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 Manchester or Girona Better for Nightlife?

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

Manchester offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

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 Manchester or Girona Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Girona is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Girona?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Girona both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. 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.

Girona is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Manchester or Girona Better for Families?

Manchester is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

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 Manchester or Girona Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Girona are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

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 Manchester or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Girona are nice places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Manchester or Girona Better for Students?

Manchester is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Manchester. 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.

Plenty of students visit Girona. 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 Manchester or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester 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 Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Girona. 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.

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

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

One day in Manchester or Girona?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and food around the ancient 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 Manchester or Girona?

Manchester 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 Manchester or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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 Manchester or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Girona, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Girona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Girona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Girona 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 Girona.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Girona?

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

Both Girona and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Girona. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Girona. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Girona because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Girona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Girona. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Manchester is much colder than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Girona. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Girona during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Girona. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Manchester