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

Should you visit Utrecht or Girona?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Girona? 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.

Utrecht

The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Utrecht and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Utrecht than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Utrecht is very popular for its nightlife, while Girona attracts visitors for its museums, food, and small town charm. Utrecht is more touristy than Girona and is known for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. It is also well known for the Dom Tower. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Utrecht different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Girona is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its museums and history.

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

Utrecht offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

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

Girona is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its restaurants.

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

Utrecht has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Is Utrecht or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Utrecht is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Utrecht offers plenty to do in the evening. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

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 Utrecht or Girona Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Utrecht and Girona.

The historic old town of Utrecht is revered around the world. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

With a famous historical old-town, Girona offers plenty to see. 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 Utrecht or Girona?

Both Utrecht and Girona are superb shopping destinations.

Utrecht is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

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.

Is Utrecht or Girona Better for Families?

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

Utrecht is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

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 Utrecht or Girona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Utrecht and Girona make for a superb place to visit.

Utrecht is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

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 Utrecht or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Utrecht 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.

Utrecht is a great to visit for backpackers. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

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 Utrecht or Girona Better for Students?

Utrecht is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Utrecht. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

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

Utrecht 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 Utrecht can get you to some places easily. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

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 Utrecht or Girona a more walkable city?

Utrecht and Girona both are amazing when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Utrecht on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Girona?

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

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

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

One day in Utrecht or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Utrecht. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Girona, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Utrecht or Girona?

Utrecht 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.

In Girona, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Girona has to offer.

Five days in Utrecht or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Utrecht. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Girona is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Utrecht or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Utrecht. This 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Girona. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, 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 Utrecht and Girona, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Girona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Girona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Girona 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht than you might in Girona.

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

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Girona?

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

Both Girona and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Utrecht is cooler than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Utrecht in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Girona. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Utrecht or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Utrecht during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In October, Utrecht is generally much colder than Girona. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 11°C (51°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Girona. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Girona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Girona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Utrecht in the winter. Utrecht is much colder than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Girona. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Utrecht or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Utrecht is much colder than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Utrecht in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Girona. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Utrecht