A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Baden-Baden vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Baden-Baden or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Baden-Baden or Arles, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden is a historic, relaxing, and nature-oriented spa town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Baden-Baden and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baden-Baden or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arles. Although Baden-Baden and Arles are both popular with visitors, Arles has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arles is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Baden-Baden is known for its food and hiking. Baden-Baden is popular for its many thermal baths, spas and wellness centers, as well as its cultural venues and festivals. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also home to L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Baden-Baden different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baden-Baden or Arles?

Arles is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Baden-Baden. The spa town has many places worth visiting including the Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Baths, the Museum Frieder Burda, and Altes Schloss Hohenbaden.

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

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

Baden-Baden has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are Michelin starred restaurants and many opportunities to sip wine and sample local cuisine. Many consider the Baden cuisine to be among the best in Germany. You'll find wine, sausages, game meat, poultry, and more. Make sure you try the Rehrücken Baden-Baden (Roe Deer), Käsespätzle (cheese spatzle), and Schäufele (pig's shoulder).

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 Baden-Baden or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Both Baden-Baden and Arles are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Baden-Baden. There are trendy, upscale bars and many fine dining opportunities. There's also a casino and a club in town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Baden-Baden or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Arles is revered around the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

Is Baden-Baden or Arles Better for Hiking?

Baden-Baden is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Baden-Baden. Located near the Black Forest, you'll find a number of great hikes and walking trails just outside of town.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baden-Baden or Arles?

Both Baden-Baden and Arles are good shopping destinations.

Baden-Baden offers some nice shopping areas. The city is filled with boutiques that sell jewelry, chocolate, designer fashion, and fine wine. There are several pedestrian shopping streets including the popular Lange-Strasse.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Baden-Baden or Arles Better for Families?

Baden-Baden is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Baden-Baden is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get into nature with hikes and wildlife reserves. There's also a funicular and castles to explore as well as several kid-friendly museums.

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 Baden-Baden or Arles Better for Couples?

Baden-Baden and Arles are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Baden-Baden is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a spa town, so there are thermal baths that couples can enjoy. There are also many gardens and walks through the countryside. The old town is picturesque and the castles are fun to explore.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Baden-Baden or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arles is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for times when you don't have a car.

Arles has a few public transit options. 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 Baden-Baden. There are a number of bus lines that run around town.

Is Baden-Baden or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Baden-Baden is a somewhat walkable spa town. It's possible to walk around parts of town, but it's easier to explore with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Baden-Baden?

How long in Baden-Baden or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Baden-Baden or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Baden-Baden than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Baden-Baden, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Baden-Baden 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 Arles.

One day in Baden-Baden or Arles?

In Baden-Baden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this nature-oriented destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Baden-Baden or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baden-Baden. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Arles. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Baden-Baden or Arles?

Baden-Baden is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Baden-Baden. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The quaint town of Arles offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Baden-Baden or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the nature-oriented destination of Baden-Baden. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Baden-Baden and Arles, we can see that Baden-Baden is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Baden-Baden or Arles?

Baden-Baden has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Baden-Baden and Arles, 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 Baden-Baden or Arles?

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 Baden-Baden or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Baden-Baden and Arles. Most visitors come to Baden-Baden for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Baden-Baden is cooler than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baden-Baden in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Baden-Baden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Baden-Baden usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Baden-Baden gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Baden-Baden usually receives more rain than Arles. Baden-Baden gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Baden-Baden as well as Arles. The autumn months attract visitors to Baden-Baden because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In October, Baden-Baden is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Baden-Baden average around 11°C (52°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Baden-Baden often gets less sunshine than Arles. Baden-Baden gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Baden-Baden usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Baden-Baden gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Baden-Baden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baden-Baden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Baden-Baden in the winter. Baden-Baden is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Baden-Baden averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Baden-Baden usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Baden-Baden gets 35 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Baden-Baden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Baden-Baden gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Baden-Baden during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Baden-Baden for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Baden-Baden is cooler than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baden-Baden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Baden-Baden often gets less sunshine than Arles. Baden-Baden gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Baden-Baden usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Baden-Baden gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Baden-Baden