A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aix-en-Provence vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. Other popular activities here include museums.

Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pompeii. Although Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii are popular destinations, Pompeii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pompeii is very popular for its museums, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also well known for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Aix-en-Provence is famous for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Aix-en-Provence different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii and Aix-en-Provence. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

Pompeii is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Pompeii on the map. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Aix-en-Provence has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Aix-en-Provence is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Aix-en-Provence. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many people travel to Aix-en-Provence specifically to go shopping. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Aix-en-Provence makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Pompeii is a good town to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Aix-en-Provence is very popular with students. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

While Pompeii offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Aix-en-Provence?

How long in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Aix-en-Provence than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Aix-en-Provence, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Pompeii 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 Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

In Aix-en-Provence, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The iconic destination of Pompeii offers museums. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

In Aix-en-Provence, 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 Aix-en-Provence has to offer.

The archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

Aix-en-Provence 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.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This archeological site offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

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

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Pompeii. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Aix-en-Provence Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii?

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 Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aix-en-Provence as well as Pompeii. Most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

Aix-en-Provence is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. In the summer, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Aix-en-Provence are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Aix-en-Provence is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aix-en-Provence in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Aix-en-Provence gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Aix-en-Provence during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

In January, Aix-en-Provence is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 7°C (44°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii. Many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty.

Aix-en-Provence is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the spring. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Aix-en-Provence gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Aix-en-Provence gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Aix-en-Provence