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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Barcelona?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Barcelona? 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a commercial, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Stuttgart and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Stuttgart. Barcelona is bigger than Stuttgart, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Stuttgart is well known for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

Barcelona is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Is the Food Better in Stuttgart or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Stuttgart and Barcelona can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Stuttgart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Stuttgart is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Music?

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

Barcelona has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a popular place for the beach. However, Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Barcelona is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Barcelona specifically to go shopping. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Stuttgart is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Barcelona.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Barcelona. 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 Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Barcelona make for a notable place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Barcelona is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Barcelona, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Barcelona. 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.

Stuttgart is very popular with students. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Stuttgart and Barcelona.

The public transit in Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Visitors to Barcelona can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Barcelona a more walkable city?

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

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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 Stuttgart Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

Both Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

Families should spend more time in Barcelona than Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Barcelona?

People visit Stuttgart because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Barcelona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

People visit Stuttgart because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find live music and food around the historic big city of Barcelona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Stuttgart. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly city of Barcelona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Stuttgart or Barcelona?

Stuttgart 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 popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Barcelona, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Barcelona?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Barcelona. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stuttgart in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Stuttgart this time of the year. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Barcelona in the Autumn?

Both Barcelona and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Stuttgart is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Stuttgart during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

The weather in Stuttgart can be very cold. Stuttgart is much colder than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Barcelona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Barcelona. The activities around the city are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Stuttgart is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stuttgart in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Stuttgart