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

Should you visit Arles or Volterra?

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

Arles

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

Volterra

Volterra is a medieval, cultural, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Arles and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Volterra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Arles than Volterra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Arles is better known for its museums and nightlife, while Volterra is more popular for its food and small town charm. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain. Volterra is well known for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Arles different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Many visitors head to Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

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

Volterra has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Arles is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Arles or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Arles and Volterra 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 Volterra can be explored in its historical center. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Volterra?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Volterra 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 Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Arles or Volterra Better for Families?

Volterra 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 Volterra. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

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 Volterra Better for Couples?

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

For those traveling as a couple, Volterra has plenty to offer. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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 Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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

Arles is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra 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 mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Arles or Volterra a more walkable city?

Volterra is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Volterra on foot is easy. Most people explore the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Arles?

How long in Arles or Volterra?

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

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

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

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

One day in Arles or Volterra?

The beautiful town of Arles offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Volterra 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 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 Volterra?

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arles, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Volterra is a fun place to experience. Volterra 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 Volterra?

Arles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Volterra 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arles or Volterra?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

Both Volterra and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Arles is around the same temperature as Volterra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arles in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Volterra averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Volterra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Volterra during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives more rain than Volterra. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arles or Volterra in the Autumn?

Both Volterra and Arles during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

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

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

Volterra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Volterra. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Volterra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Volterra. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

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

In January, Arles usually receives less rain than Volterra. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arles or Volterra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Arles as well as Volterra. Many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Arles is around the same temperature as Volterra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arles in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Volterra averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Volterra. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in April than Volterra. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Arles