A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Braga vs. Calais for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Braga or Calais?

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

Should I visit Braga or Calais? 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.

Where Should I go: Braga or Calais?

Braga

Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Braga or Calais?

Braga has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Calais, 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 Braga or Calais?

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 Braga or Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Calais. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Braga is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In Braga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Braga usually receives less rain than Calais. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Braga or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Braga as well as Calais. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Braga is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Braga in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Braga often gets more sunshine than Calais. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Braga receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Braga usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Braga or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Braga is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 10°C (50°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Braga usually receives more sunshine than Calais during winter. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Braga. In January, Braga usually receives more rain than Calais. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Braga or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Braga during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Braga is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Braga. In the spring, Braga often gets more sunshine than Calais. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. Braga usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Braga