A Travel Price Comparison for France Annecy vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Aix-en-Provence can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a relaxing, historic, and vibrant town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Annecy and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Annecy. Although Annecy and Aix-en-Provence are both popular with visitors, Annecy has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Annecy is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its shopping. Annecy is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also home to Palais de l'Isle. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Annecy different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Annecy and Aix-en-Provence.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. 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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Annecy and Aix-en-Provence.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Aix-en-Provence is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

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

Annecy is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Annecy has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Annecy or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Annecy has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is Annecy or Aix-en-Provence Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

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

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Aix-en-Provence draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

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

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

Annecy is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Annecy is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Aix-en-Provence is a great alpine town if you're traveling as 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.

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

For backpackers, both Annecy and Aix-en-Provence are good places to visit.

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

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.

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

Aix-en-Provence is a great town for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with 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.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

Annecy and Aix-en-Provence both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Aix-en-Provence has a few public transit options. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

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

Annecy and Aix-en-Provence are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. 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 Annecy Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Annecy or Aix-en-Provence. In our opinion, Annecy has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Annecy than Aix-en-Provence. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

Annecy is a small town with plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Aix-en-Provence 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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

Annecy is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This alpine town offers something for everyone. 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 Aix-en-Provence. 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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

Since Annecy is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town 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 France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Annecy Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Annecy and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Annecy or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Aix-en-Provence. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Annecy is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Annecy in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In the summer, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Aix-en-Provence and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Annecy is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 14°C (56°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Annecy usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Annecy usually receives around the same amount of rain as Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Aix-en-Provence and Annecy during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Annecy is much colder than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Aix-en-Provence. Most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Annecy is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Annecy in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Annecy usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Annecy usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Annecy