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

Should you visit Braga or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Braga or Chartres? 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 Chartres?

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.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Braga and Chartres, we can see that Chartres 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 Braga Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Braga or Chartres?

Braga has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Braga or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Braga as well as Chartres. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In July, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 21°C (69°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Braga this time of the year. In the summer, Braga often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Braga usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Braga or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

Braga is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Braga usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Braga. In October, Braga usually receives more rain than Chartres. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Braga or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Braga during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Braga is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Braga in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Braga often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. Braga usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Braga or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Chartres. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Braga is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 14°C (56°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Braga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during spring. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Braga usually receives more rain than Chartres. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Braga