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

Should you visit Avignon or Siena?

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 Avignon and Siena. 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.

Avignon

Avignon is a scenic, picturesque, and historical town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Siena?

You'll generally find more things to do in Avignon than Siena. Avignon is bigger than Siena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Avignon is better known for its museums, food, and small town charm, while Siena is more popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Avignon is well known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Also, Avignon is famous for Palais des Papes. Siena is well known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Avignon different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Siena and Avignon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avignon or Siena?

Avignon is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Avignon that are not to be missed. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Is the Food Better in Avignon or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Avignon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the first-rate old town areas in both Avignon and Siena.

The old town of Avignon is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Siena?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Avignon and Siena.

Avignon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Families?

Avignon is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Avignon is a family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon and Siena are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Avignon or Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Avignon and Siena.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Siena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Avignon or Siena a more walkable city?

Avignon is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Avignon on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Siena is a very walkable town. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Siena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Siena or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Siena?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Siena 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 Avignon.

One day in Avignon or Siena?

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Siena, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Avignon or Siena?

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

In Siena, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Siena?

Avignon is a fun place to experience. Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Siena is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Siena?

Avignon 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. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Siena?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Avignon and Siena, 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 Avignon or Siena?

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 Avignon or Siena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Avignon is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Avignon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In the summer, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Siena. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Avignon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Avignon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during autumn. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Avignon. In October, Avignon usually receives more rain than Siena. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Avignon or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Avignon during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Siena. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Siena. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Siena. The spring months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the spring, Avignon is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Avignon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Siena during spring. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Avignon usually receives less rain than Siena. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Avignon