A Travel Price Comparison for France Arles vs. Annecy for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Arles or Annecy?

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 Arles and Annecy can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Annecy?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Annecy. Although Arles and Annecy are both popular with visitors, Annecy has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Annecy is more popular for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Arles is known for its museums. Annecy is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also home to Palais de l'Isle. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arles or Annecy?

Arles is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. 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.

Is the Food Better in Arles or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arles and Annecy.

Arles has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Arles and Annecy are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

The rich history of Annecy can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Annecy?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Annecy and Arles.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles 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, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. 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.

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Annecy is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Arles or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arles and Annecy.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

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.

Is Arles or Annecy a more walkable city?

Arles and Annecy both are very good when exploring on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Arles Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Arles?

How long in Arles or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Arles or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arles, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Arles 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 Arles or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This alpine town 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.

A weekend in Arles or Annecy?

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

Five days in Arles or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, 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 Arles and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Arles much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arles would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arles 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 Arles.

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

Which is Bigger, Arles or Annecy?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Annecy, 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 Arles or Annecy?

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 Arles or Annecy in the Summer?

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

In July, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arles. In the summer, Arles often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in July than Annecy. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Annecy in the Autumn?

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

Arles is a little warmer than Annecy in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Arles usually receives more rain than Annecy. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arles or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Arles as well as Annecy. Many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Arles is much warmer than Annecy. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Annecy averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Arles often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Annecy in the Spring?

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

In April, Arles is generally a little warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during spring. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arles usually receives less rain than Annecy. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Arles