A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Montpellier for Old Town, Families, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit Bonn or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Montpellier? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bonn and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Montpellier?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Montpellier than Bonn. While Bonn is larger than Montpellier, Montpellier has more sights and attractions for tourists. Montpellier is better known for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its quaint atmosphere. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Montpellier is well known for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. Also, Montpellier is famous for The Place de la Comédie.

How is Bonn different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bonn or Montpellier?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Bonn or Montpellier.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Many visitors head to Montpellier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Bonn or Montpellier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bonn and Montpellier offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Bonn and Montpellier.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Montpellier. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a great city for its beaches. However, Bonn is not a beach destination.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Bonn is not a beach destination.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Montpellier has a world-famous historical area. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Montpellier?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bonn and Montpellier both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Montpellier is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Families?

Bonn is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Montpellier is a great city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Bonn is very popular with students. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Is Bonn or Montpellier Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bonn and Montpellier both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Bonn or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Bonn and Montpellier are superb when it comes to walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Montpellier. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Montpellier than Bonn. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Bonn 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 Montpellier.

One day in Bonn or Montpellier?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bonn or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the lively destination of Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city 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.

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Five days in Bonn or Montpellier?

The cultural city of Bonn 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Montpellier. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Montpellier?

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

The historic city of Montpellier offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Montpellier?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Montpellier, 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 Bonn or Montpellier?

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 Bonn or Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Montpellier. Most visitors come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bonn is generally cooler than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bonn because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Bonn is cooler than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bonn in the winter. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Montpellier averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Montpellier. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Bonn is generally cooler than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Bonn