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

Should you visit Volos or Barcelona?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a authentic, vibrant, and youthful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a laid-back, historic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Volos and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Barcelona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Volos. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Barcelona is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Volos attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Barcelona is more touristy than Volos and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Volos is famous for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Barcelona is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Barcelona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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

Foodies will find both Volos and Barcelona both to be superb destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Dining out in Barcelona is an experience not to be missed. 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 Volos or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to Barcelona just to party. 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.

Volos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Is Volos or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Volos is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Barcelona. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Volos is not a live music destination.

Is Volos or Barcelona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos is a city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Volos is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.

The beaches at Volos attract visitors from all over. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

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 Volos or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

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

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Barcelona?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Barcelona draws large crowds to its stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Many visitors go to Volos to go shopping. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Is Volos or Barcelona Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Volos or Barcelona.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

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 Volos or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Both Volos and Barcelona are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Volos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Barcelona is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Volos or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Barcelona is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Volos is popular with students. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

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

Barcelona is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Barcelona can get you to some places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Volos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that travels around town.

Is Volos or Barcelona a more walkable city?

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

Volos is very walkable. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can 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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Volos?

How long in Volos or Barcelona?

Both Volos 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 Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

Couples should spend more time in Barcelona than Volos. 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 Volos 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 Volos or Barcelona?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Volos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Volos or Barcelona?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the youthful destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful city of Volos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Volos or Barcelona?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Barcelona?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Volos as well as Barcelona. Many travelers come to Volos for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Volos is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 26°C (78°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 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 Volos this time of the year. In the summer, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Barcelona in the Autumn?

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

Volos is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Volos usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Volos during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Volos is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volos in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Volos often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in January than Barcelona. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Barcelona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Barcelona. The spring months attract visitors to Volos because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In April, Volos is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 14°C (56°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Volos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during spring. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Volos