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

Should you visit Arles or Siena?

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

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a romantic, charming, and medieval city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Siena?

Both Siena and Arles have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Arles is better known for its museums, while Siena is more popular for its impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Arles and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Arles that are not to be missed. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Siena 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 Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Arles or Siena Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Siena has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Arles or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Arles and Siena 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 Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Siena?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Siena 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 Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Arles or Siena Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Arles or Siena as a family destination.

Arles doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

For families, Siena is not always the best place to visit. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Arles or Siena Better for Couples?

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

For those traveling as a couple, Siena has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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 Siena Better for Students?

Siena is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Siena is very popular with students. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles or Siena 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 Siena.

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 Siena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Arles or Siena a more walkable city?

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

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

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Arles?

How long in Arles or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arles or Siena to fill your time. In our opinion, Siena has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Siena than Arles. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Arles or Siena?

In Arles, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact 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 Siena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful 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 Siena?

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 Siena. 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 Siena?

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.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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 medieval destination of Siena. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Arles and Siena, we can see that Arles 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 Arles Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Siena?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arles or Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Siena. The summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the summer, Arles is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arles in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Siena during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives less rain than Siena. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arles or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arles as well as Siena. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 16°C (61°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Arles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Arles usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Arles is around the same temperature as Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arles or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Arles during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Arles is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arles in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Siena. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Arles