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

Should you visit York or Girona?

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

Should I visit York 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.

York

York is a medieval, fanciful, and historic city. 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.

York and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in York than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. York is very popular for its food and nightlife, while Girona attracts visitors for its shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. York is more touristy than Girona and is known for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. It is also well known for The Shambles. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is York different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both York and Girona have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

York offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

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

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

York is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through York, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is York or Girona Better for Nightlife?

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

York offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

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 York or Girona Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of York is revered around the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

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 York or Girona?

Girona is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Girona is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is York or Girona Better for Families?

York is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, York is very family-friendly. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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 York or Girona Better for Couples?

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

York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

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 York or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York 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.

York is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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 York or Girona Better for Students?

Girona is a popular place for students. However, York is not popular with students.

Girona is a good city to visit for students. 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

York is not popular with students.

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

Both York and Girona offer nice public transit options.

York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

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 York or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or York?

How long in York or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in York or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in York than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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

One day in York or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in York or Girona?

York is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Girona is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in York or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in York. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the charming destination of Girona. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in York or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fanciful destination of York. This city 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.

The charming city of Girona offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between York and Girona, we can see that Girona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, York or Girona?

York has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of York 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 York 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 York or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and York are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to York 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, York is cooler than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in York in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. York usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, York usually receives more rain than Girona. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit York or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and York during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to York because of the shopping scene. 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, York is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in York average around 11°C (52°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, York often gets less sunshine than Girona. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in October than Girona. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Girona in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in York in the winter. York is much colder than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in York averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, York usually receives less rain than Girona. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit York or Girona in the Spring?

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

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

In the spring, York often gets less sunshine than Girona. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in April than Girona. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and York