A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Rouen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Aegina or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Aegina 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.

Aegina

Aegina is a relaxing, vibrant, and fun island. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aegina and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aegina. Although Aegina and Rouen are both popular with visitors, Aegina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aegina is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, beaches, and small town charm, while Rouen is known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Aegina is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. It is also home to the Temple of Athena Aphaia. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Aegina different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Aegina 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.

Aegina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

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 Aegina or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Rouen is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Aegina is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Aegina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

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 Aegina or Rouen Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a popular place for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

Aegina is a good option for a beach vacation. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Aegina or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

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

Rouen offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Rouen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rouen and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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 Aegina or Rouen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Aegina or Rouen.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aegina. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Rouen offers lots of family activities. 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 Aegina or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aegina. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Rouen offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Aegina or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aegina or Rouen to fill your time. In our opinion, Rouen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rouen than Aegina. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Aegina. 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 Aegina than Rouen 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 Aegina.

One day in Aegina or Rouen?

In Aegina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun destination offers. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rouen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Aegina or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 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.

Five days in Aegina or Rouen?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. 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.

A week in Aegina or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Aegina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, 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 Aegina and Rouen, we can see that Rouen is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen than you might in Aegina.

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

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina 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 Aegina 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 Aegina or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Rouen. The summer months attract visitors to Aegina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In July, Aegina is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during summer. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aegina usually receives less rain than Rouen. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aegina or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Rouen. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Aegina is much warmer than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the autumn, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aegina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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. In the winter, Aegina is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during winter. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aegina usually receives less rain than Rouen. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aegina or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Aegina during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Aegina in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Aegina is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the spring, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in April than Rouen. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Aegina