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

Should you visit Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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 charming, local, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Aalborg and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Aalborg than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Aalborg, Aalborg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aalborg is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Aalborg is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. It is also well known for the Utzon Center. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Aalborg different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Both Aalborg and Saint-Etienne have nice 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.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aalborg is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Aalborg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Aalborg for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Aalborg is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Aalborg. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Aalborg is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Aalborg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

Aalborg is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and Saint-Etienne are nice 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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Aalborg is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Aalborg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Aalborg. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Aalborg or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Aalborg and Saint-Etienne both are nice 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Aalborg than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Aalborg than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Aalborg. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Aalborg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Aalborg. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aalborg and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg than you might in Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Aalborg or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aalborg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the summer, Aalborg is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aalborg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

Aalborg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint-Etienne. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Saint-Etienne. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Aalborg is generally much colder than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In October, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aalborg or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aalborg. Aalborg is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Aalborg is much colder than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aalborg in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In April, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Aalborg