The Pyrenees are the largest mountain chain in the country, making a divide between Spain and France. Food. Of course, there's always the famous Camino de Santiago if you're looking for an adventure. Every year, more than 5,000 people walk through the glass doors of the Madrid IVI clinic, where couples sit in a hushed atmosphere, English, Spanish and French wafting . Also, there's the theatre productions, too. Generally speaking, Portugal is cheaper than Spain, although the flight there will likely be the most expensive part of your Portugal vacation. Spain offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Embrace the midnight meals and all-night partying and you'll fit right in with the locals. Cost of living in France compared to Spain. Eat at local restaurants that are usually more affordable and offer higher quality food. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. This country offers a variety of activities to choose from. See also Hostels for Female Travellers and Couples in Paris. Plenty of travelers enjoy the national parks of France. There is a wider diversity of options in cities like Barcelona, so there is more for budget travelers to choose from. Below we will examine the differences and similarities between Spain and France. When you rent in Spain, the price of the actual car can look cheaper because other parts of the cost of renting are not always included in that basic price. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world. Cost of living in Spain compared to Portugal - MyLifeElsewhere.com France is a popular place to visit because of its beautiful mountain scenery. $51, Puerto del Carmen: Music Hall Tavern Comedy Drag Dinner Show: $51, Nice: Private Transfer to/from Nice Airport: As it has a large number of activities for kids, Spain is a very family-friendly destination. Diff. The southern coastline, known as the French Riviera, is a nice place for snorkeling and scuba diving because of the clear waters and warm weather. Visiting the Champagne Houses is a must for any couple visiting the area. Some of the best historic places to see in Spain include the Alhambra palace and fortress in Granada, the huge cathedrals of Seville, Barcelona, and Madrid, El Escorial palace outside of Madrid, Montserrat Monastery near Barcelona, amongst others. Spain tends to be a tiny bit cheaper than Italy when it comes to food, accommodation, and alcohol, but overall both countries make affordable holiday destinations, allowing you to see many of the highlights Europe has to offer. It's hard to know how much time to spend in Spain. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Louis Vuitton in France. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. With a huge stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, as well as famous islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca. Madrid has kids tours of the Prado museum, the Mercado de San Miguel, a great zoo, the Warner Brothers Park, a railway museum, and a fantastic natural sciences museum. $28, Chteau du Bois-Huaut: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting Class: . Trying to decide to if you want to move to France or Spain? Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area. It's reasonable to spend a similar number of days in either one. Reims: This romantic area is perfect for couples who enjoy wine and history. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. The roads, trains, and public transit are also clean, safe, and can get visitors anywhere. If you don't have a car, it's also easy and often affordable to rent or hire one at the airport upon arrival. The cost of living in Spain: how much do you need? | Expatica Some areas are more party-oriented, while others offer a calm, relaxing vibe, or family-friendly activities. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway. It would be hard to visit all of the destinations hosting markets in France, as there are so many. As the roads and highways here can take you anywhere fairly quickly, many visitors to France will hire a car and leave the major cities to venture into the countryside. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. Spain is a great place to explore. The coastline of Andalusia and Valencia are perhaps the most visited, as tourists from all of Europe, and all of the world, come here for holiday beach vacations in Spain. Plenty of backpackers visit France. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. So many destinations in this large country are perfect for couples looking to get away on a romantic trip, or even a honeymoon. A holiday trip to Spain for many means a trip to one of the beach resorts along the southern coast, or in Ibiza or Majorca. If you're looking to explore in comfort and luxury, then you'll have no trouble here. France provides a more festive Christmas market atmosphere than Spain. 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. However, in our experience the beaches are a little better in Spain than France. Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. Tenerife is the largest island and offers gorgeous mountain views, native wildlife, and an exotic, tropical atmosphere. Check out Portal De L'Angel in the Gothic Quarter, Paseo de Grcia with its high-end stores, Avenida Diagonal for its diversity of shops, and the famous Boqueria Market where you'll find fresh food and other surprises. In other words, if you only compare the price of the actual car when booking online, car hire in Spain will seem much cheaper than in other countries. Spain and France have become increasingly popular for retirees 50 years and older. Coastal France can also be quite expensive. They also have long stretches of sand and although they can get crowded during the summer months, they still have plenty of space. Paella is also famous. Paris, Lyon, the southern coastline, the wine regions, and the French Alps are all quite busy with tourists year-round. $49, Lille: Private Transfer to/from Lille Airport (LIL): Food cheaper in France than Spain? : r/AskFrance - Reddit A diverse set of hiking options is available for travelers here, as you'll find great trails from the Alps to the Pyrenees to the hills in the wine regions to the beautiful coastlines. Madrid and Barcelona also have festivals and large public displays of lights along with some outdoor markets and performances. Luxury beach vacations and historical attractions in famous cities usually come to mind when people think of Spain. Barcelona: Head to Portal De LAngel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts. Lyon: Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17! In Granada and Seville, it's also possible to find those special local arts and craft shops for the perfect gift or souvenir. $40, Madrid: Wine Tasting Experience: These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. Some of the most interesting historic sights include Catedral Nueva, the Arcos de los Blancos, Torre Tavira, and Museo de Cdiz. Cost of living in New York City is 18% more expensive than in London. You'll get more bargains worth your money if you opt for a few seasons old Loewe items. So, traveling to Spain would let you spend less money overall. Surfing is very popular on both coasts, as wake boarding, kite surfing, and wind surfing. Barcelona is the hub of the Catalan region with its own unique culture, and the southern areas have a deep historic relationship with Moorish culture, too. Also, the Caminito del Rey has amazing trails along cliffs near Malaga. France is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. $63, Aix en Provence: Gourmet Food Tour: A few of the most popular small towns to visit include Ronda with its dramatic cliffs, Besalu and it's bridge and castle-like gate, Cudillero on the northern coast, and Morella with its castle. $6.81, Palace of Tau Skip-the-Line Ticket: Seville, Granada, Bilbao, and other cities do the same. From the mountains to the coastline, visitors can experience bungee jumping, mountain biking, paragliding, zip-lines, ropes courses, rock climbing, canyoning, whitewater rafting, and more. There is beautiful architecture as well as wine tours and breathtaking hot air balloon rides. How Expensive is Spain for Tourists? - Leave Your Daily Hell Spain is extremely comfortable for travelers as it is a modern destination with plenty of amenities. Every city is proud of the food they serve, and you'll find regional specials throughout the nation, too. Differences Between Living in Spain and France | Maria Abroad Loewe is cheaper to buy in Spain than in other European countries. Lille: The city is filled with shopping opportunities. France has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Kids also love all of the old castles and fortresses that dot the countryside, especially the Alhambra, the Castillo de Pescola, and the Royal Palace of Olite. If you want to save a bit of money when you visit France, consider getting off the beaten path a bit where prices are often less. Ice cream is the same." There are also a wide variety of accommodation types in cities like Paris, so if you're creative you might be able to find an affordable place to stay. Paris: There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show. While the southern coast of the mainland provides plenty of great dive spots with clear waters and a good selection of marine life, the crown jewels of diving are in the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands. Nice has some good locations such as Le Tombant Des Americains, and Marseille is close to Calanques National Park which encompasses a large area of protected coastline and the Riou Archipelago, a group of small islands with reefs and abundant marine life. Shopping is a popular activity when visiting France. For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Spain or France. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. Perception of life as I have experienced in France is less " Carpe Diem" than in Spain. Some of the best include Formigal and Candanchu in the Pyrenees, Pradollano near Granada in the Sierra Nevada range, and San Isidro near Leon. Numerous destinations in the interior of France also offer resort-like amenities, such as the options near Disneyland Paris or some of the historic castles which have been renovated into hotels. Both Spain and France offer adventure travel opportunities for visitors. Elsewhere in Spain, most beach resort areas have shopping streets, and the larger towns such as Valencia, Malaga, and Marbella have multiple shopping neighborhoods. In France, many people enjoy the museums, theater, and adventure travel that this romantic destination offers. This is particularly true in cities like Paris, where affordable accommodation can be hard to come by. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style. Your budget might influence how long you stay. The same level of travel in France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in France than you might in Spain. Barcelona: The Ultimate Travel Planning Guide, How to Skip the Line at the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Advance Tickets), Barcelona: Activities, Tickets, and Things to Do, Cheap Tours and Activities in Granada, Spain, Hostels for Solo Travellers, Female Travellers, & Couples in Madrid, Hostels & Campgrounds in Ibiza for Solo Travellers, Couples, and Groups, Hostels in Pamplona for Backpackers, Solo Travellers, and Couples, Hostels for Female Travellers and Couples in Paris, Cheap Activities and Tours in Lyon, France, Hostels in Bilbao, Spain for Groups, Students, or Solo Travellers, Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions, Good for backpackers and budget travelers, Not as popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. And the Joan Miro museum is dedicated to the work and life of this famous artist. Paris: A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway. Generally speaking, the diving here is easily accessible and generally affordable if you're right off the coast. Spain is an extremely popular destination for those interested in adventure travel. Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district. See also The Best Hostels in Seville, Party Hostels in Barcelona, and Partying at Hostels in Madrid. Furthermore, plenty of cities have a mix of cultural and historical sites combined with modern family attractions such as amusement parks, water parks, and natural park areas. Some of the best and most popular beach destinations in southern Spain include Tossa de Mar in Costa Brava, Puerto Banus near Marbella, Bogatell in Barcelona, Almunecar in Costa Tropical, and the beaches of Cadiz, amongst others. And Paris is just the beginning, as Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and others offer charming streets filled with art, architecture, museums, nightlife, and more. You can find a fairly equal amount of watersports in both Spain and France. Paris: It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town. Paris: Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elyses. With world-famous beaches, France is a very popular vacation destination. $28, Paris: Latin Quarter Pub Crawl Tour: $17, Barcelona: Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: Spain is a gorgeous, friendly, and diverse country. Cars may be bought in Spain by residents or by non-residents owning a property in Spain, renting a property for a minimum of a year or registered as an inhabitant of . Marbella: The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon. $3.40, Madrid: Prado Museum Self-Guided Audio Tour App: But if you compare the final cost of . Some of the most popular beach destinations in this part of France include Nice, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Marseille. Portugal vs Spain: Which Country is Right for Your Western - Goway Some of the world's best museums can be found in the major cities. Honeymooners could stay in one spot for a week, or spend their entire trip touring the highlights. Spain and France are both good destinations for students and younger travelers. There are pristine natural beaches that still feel undiscovered with beautiful long stretches of sand. France vs Spain: Living Costs - France Today Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa. $6.79, Dijon: City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: From the popular coastlines to the rugged interior, Spain is full of history, natural beauty, vibrant people, amazing cities, unique cuisines, and gorgeous views. Palma de Mallorca: Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places. $16, Rioja Alavesa: Wine Tasting in a Tradicional Winery: Also known as the Way of St. James, this historic 500 mile-long pilgrimage route stretches across the entire width of Spain and also has numerous secondary paths. Affordable food is also found everywhere, whether at local restaurants, street vendors, or markets. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico. Should I Visit Spain or France? Which is Better for Museums See also Cheap Activities and Tours in Lyon, France, The Best Hostels in Paris from $20, and Lyon's Best Hostels. And don't miss the famous hanging houses of Cuenca. Spain has many famous historic and cultural sights and attractions worth visiting, and is one of the main reasons why poeple come here. In Madrid, check out Kapital, Barbara Ann, or Ochoymedio. Consumer Prices Including Rent in France are 2.0% higher than in Germany: Rent Prices in France are 6.3% lower than in Germany: Restaurant Prices in France are 13.6% higher than in Germany: Groceries Prices in France are 25.6% higher than in Germany: Local Purchasing Power in France is 18.9% lower than in Germany If you're interested in doing more at the beach than just laying on the sand, Spain is the place for you. Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Spain or France. $5.66, San Sebastian: Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Train: How can you save money in Spain or France? There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. Many of them are also family-friendly. Both Spain and France are good shopping destinations. And if you're looking for something not as sophisticated, a number of review and musical shows provide fun options as well. This was the second year in a row that Spain offered the cheapest basket of groceries. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Spain and France in more detail. Or, try rock climbing in Andaluca where you'll find a variety of spots not far from Malaga, Cordoba, and Granada. . Adventure travel is very popular here, too. See also Barcelona Nightlife, The Best Nightlife in Madrid, and Party Hostels in Barcelona. Valencia: Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. You'll find food, drinks, gifts, ice skating, and Santa's Grotto. Both France and Spain are popular travel destinations in Western Europe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. It's possible to go snorkeling in France. Finally, while in Spain, taste the local olives, bread, cheese, and fruit as they are all usually fresh and delicious. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mditerrane, Htel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott. Spain and France have great weather, low cost of living, good food, great healthcare, and cheaper real estate. December 6, 2022 Accommodation In Spain Is Cheaper Than France Piere / France Travel Tips If you're looking for a cheaper place to stay in France or Spain, you'll probably want to head to Spain.