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

Should you visit Taormina or Barcelona?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Barcelona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Taormina

Taormina is a exclusive, opulent, and historic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a colorful, laid-back, and historic 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.

Taormina and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Barcelona?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Barcelona is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Taormina is more popular for its resorts and small town charm. Barcelona is more touristy than Taormina 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. Taormina is well known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

How is Taormina different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Both Taormina and Barcelona offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

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 Taormina or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Barcelona is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is very popular for its music scene. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a live music destination.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Barcelona is not a resort destination.

In Taormina, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Barcelona is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Both Taormina and Barcelona are considered to be notable beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

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.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Barcelona?

Barcelona is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Families?

Barcelona is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Barcelona offers lots of family activities. 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Taormina is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

Barcelona is a very popular city 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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Barcelona. 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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Taormina is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable town. 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 Taormina Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Barcelona?

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

Families should spend more time in Barcelona than Taormina. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Taormina 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 Taormina or Barcelona?

Even though Taormina is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Barcelona is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Taormina or Barcelona?

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Barcelona?

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Barcelona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Taormina or Barcelona?

Taormina is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taormina and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Taormina.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Taormina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In the summer, Taormina is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Taormina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the summer, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Barcelona. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 21°C (69°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Barcelona. Many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Taormina is a little warmer than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Taormina is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Taormina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Taormina