A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

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 Saint-Etienne and Barcelona. 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Saint-Etienne and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Barcelona is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Barcelona is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Barcelona is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Barcelona. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Barcelona offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Barcelona draws large crowds to its stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Barcelona are nice family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Barcelona is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Barcelona is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Barcelona is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Barcelona is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Barcelona is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Barcelona a more walkable city?

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

Saint-Etienne is somewhat walkable. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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 Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Both Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Barcelona is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic city of Saint-Etienne. 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 is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Saint-Etienne 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 bustling city that offers something for everyone. Visiting the old town is also a must. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Barcelona. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Saint-Etienne is cooler than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Barcelona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. In the winter, Saint-Etienne is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Saint-Etienne