A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arles vs. Reykjavik for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Arles or Reykjavik?

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

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Arles and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Reykjavik?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arles than Reykjavik. While Reykjavik is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is better known for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Arles different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Arles is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Arles or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Arles or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Arles offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Arles or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Reykjavik?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Arles or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options 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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Both Arles and Reykjavik are excellent 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.

Reykjavik is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Arles or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

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 Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is very good for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles or Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Arles or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Arles and Reykjavik both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Arles?

How long in Arles or Reykjavik?

In either Arles or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Arles because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arles, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

One day in Arles or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this clean destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Arles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Arles or Reykjavik?

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the safe destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arles as well as Reykjavik. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Arles is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arles in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the summer, Arles often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Arles is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Arles. In October, Arles usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arles or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Arles during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Arles is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Arles often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Arles is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arles in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Arles