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Help! Can't decide between Spain & France for trip this summer!

Hi, trusty travelers!

I'm trying to plan a very last-minute (I know) trip to either Barcelona & Costa Brava or Nice/Aix-en-Provence/Marseille. I'm actually finding some fairly reasonable flights for mid/late July and some decent enough hotel rooms! While I'm finding the hotel rooms to be pricier in Nice, there isn't a huge difference in price between six nights in Barcelona or six nights in Nice so far. Same with the flights... although the one to Nice is a little more expensive and has connections both ways.

What do you recommend?? I'm a woman in her late twenties and I will be traveling alone. I will not have a car, so safety and the ability to walk easily most places are key. I just finished teaching my first year of school, and I'm in need a change of scene/ color/ the beach/art/music/ a vacation!! Thank you so much!

Posted by
8159 posts

If you can go, it is not last minute; it just sucks trying to go places during peak travel time. In your case based on your interests (color/ the beach/art/music/ ) I recommend the area around Nice over going to Spain, only because it is a lot hotter there. You have plenty of time to get a travel guide book of some kind to review it to pinpoint where to go in that area around Nice/Marseille/provence walking as well as using public transit options to go places based on your interests.

Posted by
27929 posts

I disagree with Jazz. I don't think it will be hotter in Barcelona and at the nearby beaches than in southern France. It's worth checking day-by-day historical temperatures in recent years on wunderground.com. Choose History > Monthly.

I like Nice, and it has a lot of good art museums, plus there are others in nearby towns. I would not, however, want to day-trip to Marseille ot Aix-en-Provence from Nice.

Posted by
8159 posts

I would not do Provence as a day trip from Nice either.
I would stick with the Cote D'Azur area :Nice (has some of the best art musems)
Antibes (there is a good beach there and Picasso museum), Eze, Monte Carlo, and St Paul de Vence are all short bus or train rides away.

Posted by
3551 posts

I have been to both places alot and in January Barcelona again. The feel is diff however the beaches may be sandier in Spain. If u love Gaudi then of course Barcelona is it. That said both areas are great for museums views and equal in safety except if Barcelona is demostrating for independence. I truely enjoy Nice area also esse of train travel between towns espec.
U cannot go wrong either way.

Posted by
6788 posts

That said both areas are great for museums views and equal in safety except if Barcelona is demostrating for independence.

Unless you go out actively seeking opportunities to get in a bar fight, I don't think any tourist's safety is at risk (at all) in Barcelona due to any political activities (including independence demonstrations).

Posted by
11294 posts

You can't go wrong with either one. As for "last minute," you've already addressed the two main issues about booking now for a July trip - airfare cost, and accommodation cost and availability.

So, if you really have no preference at this time, flip a coin, and see the other one on a future trip. You may find videos helpful - Rick's are here (scroll down and look under each country): https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show

However, I do agree that since the Nice area and the Aix-en-Provence/Marseille areas are several hours apart, don't try to see both with only six days.

Posted by
11507 posts

I love both areas.. and have been to both.. but if I was alone I would choose Nice. I would see if I could get a room in a nice ( and in good, lol) hostel.. you can meet folks that way. A young lady I used to work with,, think she was about 23 when she did Nice on her own and she loved it.. I am much older.. but I love how central Nice is.. a short train or bus trip takes you to so many great daytrips.. Monaco, Eze , Cannes etc etc.. there are many more..