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

Should you visit Salzburg or Girona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Girona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salzburg than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Salzburg is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Girona is known for its small town charm. Salzburg is more touristy than Girona and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Girona.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Girona.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Salzburg or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

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 Salzburg or Girona Better for Music?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Girona is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Girona both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

The old town of Girona is one of the most recognized in the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Girona?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Is Salzburg or Girona Better for Families?

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

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Girona Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salzburg is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg or Girona Better for Students?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can get you to some places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around 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 Salzburg or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Salzburg or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Salzburg than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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

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

One day in Salzburg or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. 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.

The beautiful city of Girona offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Girona?

Salzburg is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Girona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Girona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. 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 popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful destination of Salzburg. This 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.

Girona is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Girona?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Salzburg is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 20°C (68°F), 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 Salzburg. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Girona. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Salzburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Salzburg is cooler than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Girona. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Girona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Girona. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Girona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Salzburg is much colder than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salzburg in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Girona. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Girona. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In April, Salzburg is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (51°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Girona. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Salzburg