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

Should you visit Aveiro or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Aveiro or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aveiro. When comparing the sizes of Aveiro and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aveiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In July, Aveiro is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 21°C (69°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Aveiro gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aveiro usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aveiro or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aveiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Aveiro is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aveiro averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Aveiro often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. Aveiro usually gets more rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aveiro or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aveiro and Saint-Etienne. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Aveiro is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aveiro in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Aveiro usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Aveiro gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 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 Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aveiro or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aveiro as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Aveiro is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Aveiro average around 14°C (56°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°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 Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Aveiro receives a lot of rain in the spring. Aveiro usually gets more rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Aveiro gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Aveiro