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

Should you visit Porto 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 Porto and Girona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, 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.

Porto and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Porto than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Porto is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Girona attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Porto is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also well known for Cais da Ribeira. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Porto different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many visitors head to Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

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 Porto or Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Porto, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Porto or Girona Better for Nightlife?

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

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

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 Porto or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its 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.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Girona?

Girona is a great city for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Porto or Girona Better for Families?

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

Porto is a very kid-friendly port city. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto or Girona Better for Couples?

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

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

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 Porto or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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 Porto or Girona Better for Students?

Porto 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 Porto. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

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 Porto or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto 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 Porto can get you to some places easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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 Porto or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is very popular for its walkability. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Porto is a very walkable port city. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Porto?

How long in Porto or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Porto or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Porto than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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

One day in Porto or Girona?

Porto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Girona, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Porto or Girona?

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Girona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Porto. This port city 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Girona?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto or Girona in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Porto is cooler than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets more sunshine than Girona. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Girona. Most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, 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, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Girona. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Girona in the Winter?

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

Porto is a little warmer than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets less sunshine than Girona. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Girona in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Porto is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Girona. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Porto