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

Should you visit Giverny or Barcelona?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Barcelona? 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty in Giverny as well. It's also known for food and museums. See Giverny travel costs.

Barcelona

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

Giverny and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona. Although Giverny and Barcelona are popular destinations, Barcelona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Barcelona is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is famous for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Barcelona is famous for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia.

How is Giverny different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Giverny and Barcelona.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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.

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

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Giverny specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's generally considered a daytime destination so you won't find much nightlife here.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a live music destination.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a popular place for the beach. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

Barcelona is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is great for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Barcelona More Beautiful?

Giverny 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 Giverny as well. The gardens served as inspiration for Claude Monet's famous water lily series, and the beauty is best appreciated moving at your own pace.

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 Giverny or Barcelona Better for Families?

Barcelona is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Barcelona offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Giverny is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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 Giverny or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Giverny or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Barcelona is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Barcelona has some very good public transit options. 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.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Giverny or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Giverny is a town with good options for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Giverny is somewhat walkable. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable 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 Giverny Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Barcelona?

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

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

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

You'll find food and museums around the town of Giverny. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Giverny has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Giverny or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and food around the peaceful destination of Giverny. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Giverny or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the picturesque town of Giverny. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Giverny or Barcelona?

Giverny is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Because Barcelona is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 2800 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Giverny during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Giverny in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Giverny is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 20°C (68°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Giverny. In the summer, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Barcelona. Most visitors come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Giverny is cooler than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Giverny gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Giverny usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Giverny or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Barcelona. The winter months attract visitors to Giverny because of the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

The weather in Giverny can be very cold. In the winter, Giverny is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Giverny in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Giverny gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Giverny is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 11°C (52°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Giverny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Barcelona. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Giverny