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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Girona?

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 Girona. 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 authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Girona

Girona is a ancient, charming, and beautiful city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Girona: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Girona than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Girona is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife and hiking. Girona is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Also, Girona is famous for The Girona Cathedral. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona 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 Girona. 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 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 Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Girona has a huge number of terrific 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.

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 Girona Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs 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 Saint-Etienne or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Girona offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Girona Better for Hiking?

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

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

Girona is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Girona is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Girona Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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 Saint-Etienne or Girona Better for Couples?

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

Girona is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

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 Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Girona is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

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 Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and Girona both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Girona has a few 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 Saint-Etienne or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Girona Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Girona than Saint-Etienne. 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 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 Girona.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the ancient destination of Girona. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

Saint-Etienne 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Girona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 museums and food around the beautiful city of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 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 Saint-Etienne and Girona, we can see that Girona 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 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 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 Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Girona?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Girona. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Girona. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Girona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally much colder than Girona. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Girona. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Girona. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Girona and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Girona during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Girona. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Saint-Etienne