These disparities are basic when comparing any two countries. They share a common border of the stunningly beautiful Pyrenees mountains, both have stretches of the raw and wild Atlantic and gentler, but more commercialized, Mediterranean coasts. Many Spanish towns and villages operate co-operatives where you can buy local fruit, vegetables and olive oil direct for the growers; these are much cheaper than the. The food (and wine, of course!) 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to Spain or France can realy add to your travel budget. Wild swimming is also high on the agenda here and we loved our time exploring lakes, rivers, and gorges on hot summer days, marvelling at the crystal clear water perfect for cooling off in. The Ultimate Mexico City Rooftop Bar Crawl Route through Roma, 3 Best Beach Bars on Caye Caulker + Map and Prices, How to Furnish A Rental Property in 5 Easy Steps, 10 Enchanting Treehouses on Airbnb For Your Next Getaway. Then, check out more food, nature, cultural experiences in the country to round out your itinerary (or, book a multi-day tour through the country to finish your travel planning in one click!). However, the internet is just as good as anywhere we have visited, and we know from friends living in Spain that the health system is excellent. Coastal France can also be quite expensive. A week in Spain can cost you about €784 (per person), while a week in France may cost you around €1,273. France vs Spain Ease of Tourism Winner: Too close to call! Here are our thoughts on which will give you the best bang for your buck, the best travel experience and ultimately, which one you should visit. Many attractions run by the local authority are free to enter and if not free, will not cost much. Historic buildings are maintained sympathetically and the public areas and centers of towns and cities are generally scrupulously clean. By figuring out which country is more expensive, you'll understand where you'll get more bang for your buck. They are friendly and generous and will always stop for a chat; be warned, most Spaniards will talk the hind leg of a donkey if given the chance! Everything in moderation is the rule here. The wifi here is universal, we could get fast 4G wherever we went, even in remote places. They live and travel in their motorhome in Europe and share destination information, practical motorhome tips and everything they have learned about life on the road. Both countries are very accessible, by plane, train, boat or car. Your email address will not be published. Spain is not really known for its food, other than paella, tapas, and jamon; all delicious examples of the best of Spanish cuisine. If you are into mountain sports such as hiking, downhill mountain biking, para-gliding, and skiing, then Spain offers it all. France vs Spain Outdoor Pursuits Winner: France just gets it! Follow along with their journey. (tomorrow) is a common refrain when you want to achieve something; nothing is ever on time and shops will often open 30 minutes past the stated sign on the door. The wine in Spain can be surprisingly good, although it does not have the reputation of French wine. Tapas though has been ruined by tourism, and most bars now only serve the standard fare of patatas bravas and deep-fried octopus. Spain has really only been on the tourism map since the end of Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. Both are large producers of wine and tend to have a Mediterranean diet with a focus on meat. Both have accessible, well-marked and signed hiking routes of varying degrees of difficulty, many of which are family-friendly. Written by Phil and Izzy, aka The Gap Decaders. In general, France has a stronger economy than Spain, and the higher cost of living translates into higher prices for visitors. There are also some fantastic rivers for kayaking and canoeing and of course the mighty Atlantic to the west, with huge rollers ideal for surfing. France is better than spain. Many Spanish towns and villages operate co-operatives where you can buy local fruit, vegetables and olive oil direct for the growers; these are much cheaper than the touristic French farmer’s markets and the quality of the produce is superb. Spain is much more relaxed and much less preoccupied with how they might be perceived. Swimming generally takes place in the pool or sea, by which much of the Spanish population lives and where most people head on holiday. When comparing food in France vs. Spain they are not just different in cuisine, but also in price. They are still finding their feet in promoting what they have to offer and their marketing to tourists is far less sophisticated than their neighbour France. France vs Spain Culture Winner: Spain, we wanna be relaxed on holiday! A Travel Comparison for Vacations, Honeymoons, and Tours, The Best Hostels for Solo Travellers in Granada, Spain, Affordable Tours and Activities in Granada, Spain (Alhambra, Albaicin, Tapas), Cheap Tours and Activities in Madrid, Spain, Travel Insurance for Budget Travellers: Comparing Your Options, Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions. They live and travel in their motorhome in Europe and share destination information, practical motorhome tips and everything they have learned about life on the road. Start here to learn more about our mission and how to get the most out of the site! Explore unique stays on Airbnb – like this penthouse with a view or this colorful loft – and the top hotels on Booking.com to plan your trip to Spain! To compensate, it is often less than a quarter of the price with a good bottle being bought for around three euros. France also boasts the awe-inspiring Alps alongside the Pyrenees mountains. They also share large swathes of their rural interiors which are mountainous, remote and de-populated in favour of the bright lights of vibrant city life. As well as the Pyrenees, Spain boasts the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range, with Mulhacén sitting at 3,478 meters above sea level. Oh boy, this is a tough category to call! French people can be perceived as arrogant and chilly towards visitors; they are not but it takes time to build relationships and get past the proud and cool exterior. This means you generally have a great experience when visiting attractions, museums and the like. France for its sublime wine and well-manicured culture; where you’ll be blown away by the natural beauty and quintessential France in Provence and the impressive castles, the many vineyards and medieval villages of the Dordogne. In Spain, you have to work harder at finding. The French Tourist Board has offices in all major towns and cities and they provide excellent information on attractions and will help with regional visits and planning. of these two countries is wildly different considering they share a border. It’s hard to make a sweeping statement about a countries’ culture as clearly, not everyone who lives in that country will conform; there is always the exception to the rule. However, there are some generalisations that we have realised during our travels are broadly accurate about both France and Spain. Budget travelers usually stay in less expensive hostels and guest houses, while nicer hotels often appeal to families and upscale travelers. Nothing here is as you expect and nothing will happen when you want it to but that makes life a little bit more interesting! Required fields are marked *, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, They share a common border of the stunningly beautiful. French farmer’s markets and the quality of the produce is superb. Meal and restaurant costs in France (€30) are often cheaper than Spain (€27). Should I visit France or Spain? This is a popular question for many travelers. Everything works as it should and is on time, like a well-oiled machine. This is particularly true in cities like Paris, where affordable accommodation can be hard to come by. In some rural villages, a bar or restaurant will open whenever the owner feels like it and you take pot luck; this makes planning hard…but in Spain nothing much seems to be planned it just sort of happens! It is possible to be vegetarian in both countries, but it can be challenging in rural areas to find dishes without some form of meat. Spain is a bit more laid back about sports, understandable when it’s often 30° C plus for six months of the year! We will go more deeply and compare French and Spanish lifestyle. Accommodation is often cheaper in Spain compared to France (€50 vs. €121). If you are into mountain sports such as hiking, downhill mountain biking, para-gliding, and skiing. Did you know every time you read an article on Slight North, you're also planting trees in the Andes? France vs Spain Overall Winner: Spain (but only by a really teensy margin!) First of all, time schedules. This means you generally have a great experience when visiting. Both these countries are beautiful with views to take your breath away and access to wide-open spaces and nature seemingly around every corner. and will give you everything you have expected or wanted from visiting, although it might be a tad predictable. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. Spain owes much of it’s architectural style to the Moors who occupied the country for much of the middle ages; it’s now a bit of a hodge-podge of styles with lots of unfinished projects which failed during the credit crunch of the late nineties; as a result, the environment is not always easy on the eye. France is a very sportive country with outdoor experiences such as hiking and cycling being incredibly popular. France is a proud country, pre-occupied with having the best of things and living their best lives at all times. The price of a plane ticket may help you decide which country you should visit. We were lucky enough to spend three months in France and six months in Spain travelling in 2018; we think we know both countries well. In Spain, you have to work harder at finding the attractions, especially if you’re off the beaten track, but this often means fewer people and more freedom once inside to take your time and enjoy. Spain has really only been on the tourism map since the end of Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. Mañana (tomorrow) is a common refrain when you want to achieve something; nothing is ever on time and shops will often open 30 minutes past the stated sign on the door. There are a further nine mountain ranges in Spain, making it the second most mountainous country in Europe, after Switzerland. A bit lackadaisical and most certainly laid-back, Spain will make you smile with its’ love of live and open-armed approach to visitors. Many attractions run by the local authority are free to enter and if not free, will not cost much. Written by Phil and Izzy, aka The Gap Decaders. France is not a cheap country to visit; it wants your tourism euros and will work hard to get them! There are a further nine mountain ranges in Spain, making it the second most mountainous country in Europe, after Switzerland. Try dining in local or off-the-beaten-track bars for a more authentic experience. Wild swimming is also high on the agenda here and we loved our time exploring lakes, rivers, and gorges on hot summer days, marvelling at the crystal clear water perfect for cooling off in. Posted by Izzy Nicholls | Last updated Jul 19, 2020. and deep-fried octopus. France has worked hard and been accessible longer to tourists and as such, has their offer worked out and clearly identified. Ronda, a mountaintop town in Andalusia, Spain.