A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Calais for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Aalborg or Calais?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Calais. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a local, historic, and charming town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Aalborg and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Aalborg. While Aalborg is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Aalborg is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm. Aalborg is more touristy than Calais and is known for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Aalborg different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Calais?

Both Aalborg and Calais have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Aalborg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aalborg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Aalborg is an experience not to be missed. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Aalborg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for its beaches. However, Aalborg is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Aalborg is not a beach destination.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Aalborg is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Aalborg offers a nice historic old town area. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais and Aalborg.

Aalborg is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and Calais are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aalborg. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Couples?

Aalborg and Calais both notable destinations for a couple.

Aalborg is a nice destination for couples. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Students?

Aalborg is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Aalborg or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aalborg and Calais.

You'll find some public transit in Aalborg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system around town.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Aalborg or Calais a more walkable city?

Aalborg and Calais both are notable when exploring on foot.

Aalborg is somewhat walkable. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Calais. In our opinion, Aalborg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Aalborg than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

Couples should spend more time in Aalborg than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aalborg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aalborg than Calais 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 Aalborg.

One day in Aalborg or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aalborg. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Aalborg or Calais?

Aalborg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Aalborg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Calais?

Aalborg has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Calais, 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 Aalborg or Calais?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aalborg or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aalborg is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 16°C (61°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives more rain than Calais. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Aalborg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Aalborg is cooler than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Aalborg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Calais. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Aalborg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Aalborg is much colder than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aalborg in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In January, Aalborg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Aalborg is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 6°C (43°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Calais. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Aalborg