Should you visit Valencia or Catalonia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Catalonia, 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.
Where Should I go: Valencia or Catalonia?
Valencia
Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.
Catalonia
Catalonia is a famous autonomous community in Spain. It is situated in the northeastern part of the country and consists of four provinces. The provinces consist of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Barcelona is not only the capital of Catalonia, but is also the biggest city in the region. Because Barcelona is such a large city and Catalonia’s long history of international trade, the area is a very popular tourist destination. Another reason for Catalonia’s success is its temperate climate. Two other reasons that make Catalonia different from other areas in Spain are, people speak Catalan, Spanish and Aranese, and its climate has both beaches and mountain ranges.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.
Which place is cheaper, Catalonia or Valencia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Valencia is €153, while the average daily cost in Catalonia is €195. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Valencia and Catalonia in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Valencia or Catalonia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here:
Valencia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:
-
Valencia hotels to Valencia Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer:
$56
-
Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$112
-
Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$56
-
Valencia City, Airport, Cruise Terminal Private Transfer:
$93
-
Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$112
-
Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$112
-
Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia - Arrival Private Transfer:
$56
-
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Valencia HTL-APT (VLC):
$58
-
Transfer: Valencia City Center to Valencia Airport (VLC):
$28
-
Transfer: Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia City Center:
$29
-
Private Valencia Transfer: Central Valencia to Cruise Port or Valencia Airport:
$73
-
Private Transfer: Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia in Luxury Van:
$97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catalonia
Also for Catalonia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Airport Transfer:
$175
-
Arrival Barcelona Airport Private Transfer:
$23
-
Arrival Private Transfer by Sedan from BCN airport to Barcelona:
$91
-
Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Van:
$97
-
Arrival Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona in Private Car/Van:
$86
-
Arrival Transfer: Airport BCN to Barcelona by Business Car:
$92
-
Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to Barcelona by Business Car:
$92
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) Private Transfer to/from Barcelona City:
$45
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Barcelona - Arrival Private Transfer:
$33
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Barcelona - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$65
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Sitges - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$231
-
Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Port Aventura/Salou Arrival Transfer:
$206
Is it cheaper to fly into Valencia or Catalonia?
Prices for flights to both Catalonia and Valencia change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food
Meals for one day
Valencia €70
Catalonia €74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.
-
Make Valencian 'Pizza' in Ruzafa:
$70
-
Authentic Paella Dinner in Valencia:
$72
-
Valencia Best Food Tour With A Local Guide:
$73
-
Valencia Evening Cruise with Dinner and Drinks:
$75
-
Real Paella Cooking Class – Market Visit & Sangría Workshop:
$76
-
Valencia Morning Food Tour with Central Market by Food Lover Tour:
$76
-
Seafood Paella cooking class Sangria workshop & Local Market:
$76
-
Valencia Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local:
$76
-
Paella cooking class - Local Market tour, Tapas & Wine:
$76
-
Paella cooking class: Sangria workshop, Tapas & Wine – evening:
$76
-
Paella Cooking Class, Wine Tasting & Central Market in Valencia:
$82
-
Carbonara Cooking Class in Valencia with an Italian Chef:
$99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catalonia
For Catalonia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit:
$41
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$52
-
Top Awarded Flamenco Show Tablao Cordobes with dinner option:
$56
-
Barcelona Paella and Sangria Cooking Experience:
$57
-
Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local:
$63
-
Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour:
$69
-
Barcelona: Wine Tasting and 5 Course Tapas Pairing Dinner:
$69
-
Barcelona Boqueria Market e Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour:
$75
-
Evening Cruise with Dinner and Drinks in Barcelona:
$75
-
Barcelona: Gothic And El Born Food Tour with Tapas and Wine:
$76
-
Barcelona: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class with Sangria Making:
$79
-
Paella Cooking Class in Barcelona | Small Group, Cava & Wine:
$80
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia
Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Valencia
Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1-Hour Segway Adventure: Medieval Valencia & Gardens:
$52
-
1-Hour Segway Tour in Valencia + Full-Day Bike Rental:
$47
-
A day in the life of Valencia - Private tour with a local:
$249
-
Adventures day: Thermal Springs, Waterfalls, private guesthouse:
$104
-
Albufera Private Day Tour: Paella, Boat Cruise and Nature Walk:
$251
-
All-in-One Valencia Private Bike Tour:
$76
-
Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia:
$7.99
-
Bike tour with city guide from old to new:
$41
-
Chulilla Canyon Adventure and Hanging Bridges Hike:
$146
-
Chulilla Canyon Trail - private full day tour:
$187
-
City of Arts and Sciences Bike Tour:
$52
-
Cuevas de San José Tour from Valencia in a small group without bus:
$99
Tours and Activities in Catalonia
For Catalonia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Barri Gòtic Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt:
$3.49
-
Sagrada Familia Exterior Tour:
$3.49
-
Barcelona Guided Tour on Segway:
$3.49
-
Barcelona Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt:
$3.49
-
Self-Guided Private City Tour in Barcelona's Best Kept Secrets:
$3.49
-
Welcome to Barcelona Segway and eScooter Tour:
$3.49
-
Barcelona Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour:
$3.49
-
Self-Guided Tours Barcelona: 150+ Captivating Audio Stories:
$3.49
-
Censored Barcelona Tour:
$3.50
-
Gothic Quarter Donation-Based Walking Tour in English:
$3.50
-
Sagrada Familia External Audio Tour - The 3 Iconic Facades:
$3.50
-
Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour:
$3.50
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia
Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pub Crawl Tour in Valencia:
$19
-
Pub Crawl Valencia | The Biggest | Club Entry Included:
$20
-
Pub Crawl Bars, Free Shots & Club Entry:
$20
-
Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia:
$52
-
Valencia Walking Tour with 13th Century Wine Tasting:
$69
-
Two wineries tour with wine tasting:
$141
-
Valencia Benimaclet Tour with Gourmet Conservas and Wine Tasting:
$148
-
Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia:
$162
-
Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia:
$175
-
Private Wine Tour with Wine Tasting and Full Lunch (day trip):
$192
-
Singular Valencia Wine Tour Utiel Requena Wineries:
$262
Sample the Local Flavors in Catalonia
Also in Catalonia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Amazing Bar Crawl in Barcelona:
$15
-
Visit winery and wine tasting:
$16
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING -The Best Party tour & VIP Club Entry:
$17
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl Experience with VIP Nightclub Entry:
$17
-
Largest Bar Crawl in Barcelona:
$17
-
Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting:
$17
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl and VIP Club Experience:
$18
-
Largest Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$18
-
Pub Crawl Barcelona by EVOLVE The BEST night experience:
$23
-
Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting:
$23
-
Barcelona: Bar Crawl at Gaixample:
$29
-
Barcelona Speakeasy Pub Crawl With Hidden Bars & Optional Tapas:
$29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valencia and Catalonia, we can see that Catalonia is more expensive. And not only is Valencia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valencia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valencia 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 Catalonia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Catalonia than you might in Valencia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valencia Expensive? and Is Catalonia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Valencia or Catalonia?
Catalonia has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Valencia and Catalonia, 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.
Related Articles for Valencia
Related Articles for Catalonia