A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aberdeen vs. Rouen for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Aberdeen or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Aberdeen or Rouen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a historic, cultural, and architectural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Aberdeen and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aberdeen or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aberdeen than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Aberdeen is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its food and impressive beauty. Aberdeen is famous for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. It is also well known for St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Aberdeen different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aberdeen or Rouen?

Aberdeen is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Aberdeen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

Is the Food Better in Aberdeen or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rouen makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Aberdeen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Both Aberdeen and Rouen are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Aberdeen or Rouen?

Both Aberdeen and Rouen are nice shopping destinations.

Aberdeen is a great destination for shopping. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rouen. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for Families?

Aberdeen is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Aberdeen is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is a well-known place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for Students?

Aberdeen is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Aberdeen is a good city to visit for students. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Rouen is not popular with students.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rouen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Rouen is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Aberdeen has some public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Aberdeen or Rouen a more walkable city?

Aberdeen and Rouen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Aberdeen is very walkable. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Aberdeen?

How long in Aberdeen or Rouen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rouen than Aberdeen 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 Rouen.

One day in Aberdeen or Rouen?

In Aberdeen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful city of Rouen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Aberdeen or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Aberdeen or Rouen?

Aberdeen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Aberdeen. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Rouen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Aberdeen or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the architectural destination of Aberdeen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aberdeen or Rouen?

Aberdeen has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Aberdeen and Rouen, 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 Aberdeen or Rouen?

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 Aberdeen or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Aberdeen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the summer, Aberdeen is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aberdeen in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Rouen. Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Aberdeen gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aberdeen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Aberdeen gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Aberdeen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Aberdeen is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 9°C (49°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Aberdeen gets 93 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rouen. Aberdeen gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aberdeen and Rouen. Many travelers come to Aberdeen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aberdeen. Aberdeen is cooler than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during winter. Aberdeen gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aberdeen usually receives more rain than Rouen. Aberdeen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aberdeen as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Aberdeen in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Aberdeen is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aberdeen in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Aberdeen gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Aberdeen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Aberdeen