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

Should you visit Arles or Urbino?

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

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino

Urbino is a laid back, historic, and undiscovered town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular old town
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Arles or Urbino?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arles. Although Arles and Urbino are popular destinations, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also well known for L'Amphithéâtre Romain. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Arles different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles
Urbino

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.


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

Arles
Urbino

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Urbino 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 Urbino. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Arles or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Arles
Urbino

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

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 Urbino has a few options to choose from. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Arles or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Arles
Urbino

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.


Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Urbino?

Arles
Urbino

Shopping is a popular activity in both Urbino 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 Urbino. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Arles or Urbino Better for Families?

Arles
Urbino

Most people don't think of either Arles or Urbino 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, Urbino is not always the best place to visit. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Arles or Urbino Better for Couples?

Arles
Urbino

Both Arles and Urbino 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.

Urbino is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.


Is Arles or Urbino Better for Students?

Arles
Urbino

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

Urbino is very popular with students. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Arles
Urbino

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

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Arles or Urbino a more walkable city?

Arles
Urbino

Arles is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Arles?

How long in Arles or Urbino?

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

Families should spend more time in Arles than Urbino. 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 Arles than Urbino. 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 Arles than Urbino 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 Arles.


  • How many days in Arles or Urbino? Ideal Length of Stay
    Arles 1-2 
    Urbino 1-2

One day in Arles or Urbino?

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.

In Urbino, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This town 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Urbino?

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.

Urbino is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Urbino. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Arles or Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Urbino or Arles?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arles is €142, while the average daily cost in Urbino is €118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arles and Urbino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arles 71
    Urbino 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arles 142
    Urbino 106
Compare Hotels in Arles and Urbino

Looking for a hotel in Arles or Urbino? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arles


Hotels in Urbino


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arles Hotel Prices and Urbino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arles 23
    Urbino 44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:

  • Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $117

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Urbino

Also for Urbino, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Borgo Maggiore to Rimini (RMI) Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Arles or Urbino?

Prices for flights to both Urbino and Arles change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arles 52
    Urbino 39
Typical Food Prices in Arles

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:


  • Cooked Clams
    4.50
  • Ice Cream
    1.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arles 31
    Urbino 15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arles

Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Castle Entrance Fee
    5.50

Tours and Activities in Arles

Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $187
  • Arles Private guided walking tour from Marseille: $342
  • Arles, Saint-Rémy & Les Baux De Provence: Guided Tour: $1,176
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $201
  • Art and History Walking Tour: $299
  • City tour 1 hour of the city, its history, its monuments,: $84
  • City tour 45mn of the city, its history, its monuments,: $70
  • From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour: $106
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour of Arles: $202
  • Private Guided Tour of Arles: $218
  • Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket: $7.64

Tours and Activities in Urbino

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Urbino.

  • San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience: $8.68
  • San Marino Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Tour: $8.97
  • Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino: $92
  • Guided group tour of Ducal Palace and National Gallery: $94
  • E-BIKE Tour San Marino for couples: $114
  • Private tour with Welcome KIT in San Marino: $136
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour with certified guide: $139
  • Private Walking Tour with Ducal Palace Ticket: $150
  • San Marino’s Starlit Stroll: A Christmas Walking Tour: $153
  • Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site: $172
  • Guided Tour of San Marino at Sunset with aperitif included: $184

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arles 24
    Urbino 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Arles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:

  • Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles: $6.20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and Urbino, we can see that Arles is more expensive. And not only is Urbino much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Urbino would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Urbino 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 Urbino.

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


Which is Bigger, Arles or Urbino?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino and Arles during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Urbino in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Arles is around the same temperature as Urbino in the summer. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Arles usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Arles 24°C (75°F) 
    Urbino 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Arles or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Urbino. Many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Arles is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arles in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Urbino averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Arles usually receives more rain than Urbino. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Arles 16°C (61°F) 
    Urbino 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Arles or Urbino in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Arles as well as Urbino. Most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Urbino because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Urbino can be very cold. In January, Arles is generally much warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 7°C (44°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Arles usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Arles 7°C (44°F) 
    Urbino 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Arles or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

Arles is around the same temperature as Urbino in the spring. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In April, Arles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Urbino. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Arles 13°C (56°F) 
    Urbino 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Urbino and Arles

Arles Urbino
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 60 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Nov 11°C (51°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)