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

Should you visit Rouen or Girona?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Girona? 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. 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 charming, beautiful, and colorful city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Rouen and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Girona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Girona than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Girona is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Rouen is more popular for its nightlife. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Also, Girona is famous for The Girona Cathedral.

How is Rouen different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Girona is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Foodies will find both Rouen and Girona both to be superb destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rouen. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Rouen is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

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 Rouen or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Girona?

Girona is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Girona Better for Families?

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

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

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 Rouen or Girona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Girona make for a superb place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Rouen or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Girona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Girona is a good city 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

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen can get you to some places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rouen or Girona to fill your time. In our opinion, Girona has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Girona than Rouen. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Girona than Rouen. 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 Girona than Rouen 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 Girona.

One day in Rouen or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rouen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Rouen or Girona?

Rouen 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.

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 Rouen or Girona?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Rouen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, 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 Rouen and Girona, we can see that Girona is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen 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 Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona than you might in Rouen.

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Girona?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen or Girona?

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 Rouen or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Rouen is cooler than Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Girona. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Rouen because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In the autumn, Rouen is cooler than Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Girona. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Girona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Girona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Rouen in the winter. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than Girona. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Rouen for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Rouen is cooler than Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Girona. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Rouen