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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a historic, vibrant, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a cultural, friendly, and high energy 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.

Toulouse and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Barcelona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Toulouse. Barcelona is bigger than Toulouse, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is better known for its nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulouse is more popular for its food. Barcelona is more touristy than Toulouse 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. Toulouse is well known for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Toulouse different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Barcelona and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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.

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

Toulouse is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Barcelona is a world class party destination. 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.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a city with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Barcelona. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Both Toulouse and Barcelona have great historic old towns worth visiting.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Barcelona?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Families?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Toulouse is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. 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 Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Is Toulouse 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, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Barcelona offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Barcelona a more walkable city?

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

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Barcelona?

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

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Toulouse. 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.

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 Toulouse or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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 Toulouse or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed city of Toulouse. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. 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 Toulouse or Barcelona?

Toulouse is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Toulouse during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, 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, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulouse in July average around 22°C (72°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 Toulouse. In the summer, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Barcelona. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Furthermore, 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, Toulouse is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 15°C (60°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Barcelona in the Winter?

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

Toulouse is cooler than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 6°C (44°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the spring for the activities around the city 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, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulouse in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Toulouse