A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aveiro vs. Carcassonne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aveiro or Carcassonne?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aveiro and Carcassonne. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Aveiro or Carcassonne?

Aveiro

Aveiro has great canals that are lined by houses. Because of this ambiance, the town has earned its nickname the "Portuguese Venice." While it's similar, don't put too much into the name. The town is also known for it's colorful boats, referred to as moliceiros, that ride along the canals and under the bridges.

While the canals are lovely, most visitors actually come for the beaches. Aveiro's beaches are known for their clean and pristine sand. The shore is referred to as the Silver Coast, and has comfortably warm water, which is another major draw to the area.

Aveiro is comfortable year around because it's winters are mild and warm and its summer is somewhat cool. The winter months get the most rain and the summer is usually the driest. If you're there during the fall and winter, the winds will be strong making it the best time for surfing, sailing, and other water sports.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aveiro or Carcassonne?

Aveiro has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Aveiro and Carcassonne, 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 Aveiro or Carcassonne?

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 Aveiro or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aveiro and Carcassonne. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the summer, Aveiro is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aveiro in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In Aveiro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Aveiro gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aveiro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aveiro or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aveiro as well as Carcassonne. Additionally, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Aveiro is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 17°C (62°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Aveiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Aveiro usually gets more rain in October than Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aveiro or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Aveiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Aveiro is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Aveiro averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Aveiro gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Aveiro. In January, Aveiro usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aveiro or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Aveiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Aveiro is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aveiro in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Aveiro. In the spring, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually gets more rain in April than Carcassonne. Aveiro gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Aveiro