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

Should you visit Aveiro or Chartres?

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 Chartres. 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 Chartres?

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.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Aveiro or Chartres?

Aveiro has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Aveiro and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Aveiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aveiro is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 21°C (69°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Aveiro gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aveiro usually receives less rain than Chartres. Aveiro gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aveiro or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Aveiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Aveiro is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aveiro averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Aveiro gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Aveiro gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aveiro or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aveiro and Chartres. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Aveiro is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aveiro in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Aveiro gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Aveiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Aveiro usually receives more rain than Chartres. Aveiro gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aveiro or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aveiro as well as Chartres. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In April, Aveiro is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 14°C (56°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aveiro this time of the year. In the spring, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Aveiro gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Aveiro receives a lot of rain in the spring. Aveiro usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Aveiro gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Aveiro