A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Caen for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Belfast or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Caen, 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Belfast and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Caen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Caen than Belfast. While Belfast is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Caen is more popular for its museums and food, while Belfast is known for its shopping. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge.

How is Belfast different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Belfast or Caen?

Caen is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Belfast or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Caen makes for a great culinary experience. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Both Belfast and Caen are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Caen?

Belfast is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Families?

Belfast and Caen are both good destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Couples?

Caen is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Caen is a nice destination for couples. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Students?

Belfast is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Caen is not popular with students.

Is Belfast or Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Caen a more walkable city?

Belfast and Caen both are good when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Belfast Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Caen. In our opinion, Caen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Caen than Belfast. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Belfast, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Belfast 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 Caen.

One day in Belfast or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Belfast or Caen?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Belfast or Caen?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. 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 Belfast or Caen?

The authentic city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Caen. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Caen?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Caen, 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 Belfast or Caen?

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 Belfast or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Belfast is cooler than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Caen. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Caen. Many visitors come to Belfast in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Belfast is cooler than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belfast in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Caen. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Caen. Most visitors come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Belfast can be very cold during winter. In January, Belfast is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Caen. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Caen. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Belfast because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Belfast is cooler than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives more rain than Caen. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Belfast