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

Should you visit Caen or Bari?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Bari. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bari

Bari is a authentic, local, and cultural port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Caen and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Bari?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bari than Caen. Bari is bigger than Caen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Caen is more touristy than Bari and is known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. Bari is well known for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. Also, Bari is famous for San Nicola.

How is Caen different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Caen or Bari.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. 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.

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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

Bari is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Bari, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. 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.

Is Caen or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Bari has a large number of nightlife venues. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Caen or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Bari offers a nice beach destination. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Caen or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Bari?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bari. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Bari Better for Families?

Bari is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Bari is a very family-friendly destination. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Caen or Bari Better for Couples?

Caen and Bari both notable destinations for a couple.

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.

Bari makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Caen or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Bari is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Caen or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Many students visit Bari. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Caen or Bari a more walkable city?

Bari is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Bari is very walkable. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Caen?

How long in Caen or Bari?

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

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

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

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

One day in Caen or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Caen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bari. 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 Caen or Bari?

Caen 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.

Bari is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Caen or Bari?

You'll find food and museums around the historic destination of Caen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Bari. This port 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 Caen or Bari?

The historic city of Caen offers museums and nightlife. 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.

The cultural port city of Bari 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Bari, 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 Caen or Bari?

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 Caen or Bari in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Bari. The summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In July, Caen is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 18°C (64°F), and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Bari during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives more rain than Bari. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Bari. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Caen is cooler than Bari in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets less sunshine than Bari. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bari. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Bari in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. In the winter, Caen is much colder than Bari. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caen in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Bari averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Bari during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bari. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Caen is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 9°C (49°F), and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Bari, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Caen often gets less sunshine than Bari. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Caen