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

Should you visit Bath 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 Bath and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a historical, beautiful, and architectural spa town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty in Bath as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bath travel costs.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Barcelona is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Barcelona travel costs.

Bath and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Bath, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Bath is known for its museums and attractions, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Barcelona is more touristy than Bath and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Bath is popular for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums.

How is Bath different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bath is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Bath that are not to be missed. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

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 Bath or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Barcelona. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Barcelona is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Bath is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Bath is not a live music destination.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Bath is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. 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.

Bath is not a beach destination.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Bath and Barcelona are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Many visitors go to Barcelona to see the historical old town. 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 Bath or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Bath is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Is Bath or Barcelona More Beautiful?

Bath is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bath as well. Seeped in history, this city is one of the most beautiful in the region.

The beauty of Barcelona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city offers many nice viewpoints that look down on the skyline from the surrounding hills. There are also nice parks and interesting architecture.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Bath or Barcelona.

Bath is a family-friendly spa town. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

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 Bath or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Bath is renowned for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bath is a great spa town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

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 Bath or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Barcelona. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Is Bath or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bath 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.

Bath is a great spa town to visit as a student. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

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

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Barcelona. 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 Bath, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Is Bath or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Bath is renowned for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Bath on foot. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable spa town. 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 Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Bath?

How long in Bath or Barcelona?

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the spa town of Bath. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bath has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Barcelona is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bath or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Bath. 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 spa town has to offer. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bath or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the architectural spa town of Bath. 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 museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a historic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bath or Barcelona?

Bath 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 high energy city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Bath and Barcelona, we can see that Bath 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 Bath Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bath or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bath 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.