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

Should you visit Arles or Lucca?

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 Lucca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lucca

Lucca is a quaint, popular, and historic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Lucca?

Both Lucca and Arles have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Lucca is more touristy than Arles and is known for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lucca 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 Lucca?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lucca. There are many interesting historic sights and buildings around this charming town. You can climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower or visit the Roman Amphitheater. Many visitors enjoy walking or biking around the city walls as well. Also make sure you visit the cathedral.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Lucca can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lucca. There are many great Tuscan restaurants inside the city walls. Perhaps the most popular local dish is tordelli Lucchesi. Its a meat filled pasta that has a beef ragu sauce. There are also other Tuscan recipes that include steak, boar, or rabbit.

Is Arles or Lucca Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Lucca has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is most lively during the spring and summer months when tourists crowd into the city. For the highest concentration of bars, clubs, and lounges, head to Piazza Amfiteatro, Piazza San Michele and Via Fillungo.

Is Arles or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

Arles and Lucca 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 Lucca can be explored in its historical center. The historic city is surrounded by city walls, which you can walk around. Within the walls there are cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Lucca?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lucca 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 Lucca. The city is filled with a mix of tourist shops and more authentic local vendors. If you look hard, you can still find some interesting local items that make for a more unique and personal shopping experience.

Is Arles or Lucca Better for Families?

Lucca is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lucca. You can pass through town in a day or two, or stay longer and use it as a base for exploring Tuscany. There are playgrounds for the kids as well as some fun activities like cycling the city walls and climbing towers.

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 Lucca Better for Couples?

Both Arles and Lucca are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Lucca is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful city with good restaurants and access to nice countryside. Couples who want to explore Tuscany can use this town as a base to take in much of the region.

Is Arles or Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Lucca is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many traditional hostels around town, guesthouses are usually affordable.

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 Lucca Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arles is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Lucca is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Lucca. There's no public transit within the city so if you can't walk somewhere, you'll want to take a taxi. In general, walking is the best option though.

Is Arles or Lucca a more walkable city?

Arles and Lucca both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Lucca is very walkable. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Arles?

How long in Arles or Lucca?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arles or Lucca to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lucca 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 Lucca.

One day in Arles or Lucca?

In Arles, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Lucca, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Arles or Lucca?

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

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

Five days in Arles or Lucca?

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

Lucca is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lucca. 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 Lucca?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Arles. 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 museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Lucca. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arles or Lucca?

Lucca has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Lucca, 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.