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

Should you visit Caen or Korcula?

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 Korcula. 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 park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Korcula

Korcula is a historic, scenic, and laid back island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Korcula: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Korcula?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Korcula. Although Caen and Korcula are popular destinations, Korcula has more sights and attractions for tourists. Korcula is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities. Korcula is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its small old town and its beautiful natural setting. It is also well known for St Mark's Cathedral. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Caen different from Korcula?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Korcula 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 Korcula?

Caen is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Korcula. Most of the sights are concentrated in Korcula Town, which has a charming old town that is filled with stone houses. In the center of the old town is St Mark's Cathedral. Other points of interest include Abbey Treasury and Marco Polo's House.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Caen and Korcula.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Korcula. Food is a way of life on the island, and you'll likely enjoy bread, salad, soup, and grilled meat or seafood at most meals. The ingredients are locally produced and fresh.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Nightlife?

Caen is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Korcula is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

Korcula doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The party scene is lacking in the old town, so this isn't the place to visit for nightlife. Many of the restaurants become cocktail bars at night, and there is a club or two that has opened in recent years.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Korcula is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Korcula. There are a few snorkeling tours that leave from the island.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Beaches?

Korcula is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Korcula for it's beautiful beaches. There are a number of beautiful beaches around the island. Head south for the sandier beaches and north for the pebbly, shallower beaches. Many people think that Lumbarda has the best beaches on the island.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for its Old Town?

Korcula 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 Korcula. The charming old town is filled with interesting buildings and historic streets that you can explore.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Hiking?

Korcula is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Korcula. There are many natural and hiking areas on the island so you can enjoy a full day hike or a shorter stroll through the area.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Korcula?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Korcula. You'll find boutiques, small retail shops, or stores selling knick knacks around town.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Families?

Korcula 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.

Korcula is a very family-friendly destination. The island has many great hikes that are appropriate for all ages. There are also pebbly beaches where the kids can play in the water and explore.

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 Korcula Better for Couples?

Korcula is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Korcula makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful old town, striking coastline, and wonderful natural beauty make for a great honeymoon or romantic escape. There are many nice hikes in the area and the beaches are nice for cooling off.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen and Korcula are both nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Korcula. You'll find enough hostels around the island to choose from and there are usually plenty of backpackers hanging out.

Is Caen or Korcula Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Korcula. More students have been moving to the island, and you'll find a growing student population.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

While Korcula offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around the island but not all routes are very frequent.

Is Caen or Korcula a more walkable city?

Caen and Korcula are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Korcula is a somewhat walkable place. There are foot paths and trails all over the island but you'll want to rent a bike if you're going long distances.

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

Should I spend more time in Korcula or Caen?

How long in Caen or Korcula?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Caen and Korcula. In our opinion, Korcula has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Korcula than Caen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Korcula 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 Korcula.

One day in Caen or Korcula?

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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Korcula. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Caen or Korcula?

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.

Korcula 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 Caen or Korcula?

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.

You'll find museums and food around the laid back destination of Korcula. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Caen or Korcula?

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.

The laid back island of Korcula offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Korcula?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Korcula. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Korcula, 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 Korcula?

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 Caen or Korcula in the Summer?

Both Korcula and Caen during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Korcula because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Caen is much colder than Korcula. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Korcula averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Korcula, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 345 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets more rain in July than Korcula. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Korcula in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Korcula. The autumn months attract visitors to Caen because of the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Korcula this time of year.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Korcula. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Korcula fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Korcula this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Caen usually receives less rain than Korcula. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Caen or Korcula in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Caen as well as Korcula. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Korcula for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Caen in the winter. Caen is much colder than Korcula in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Korcula fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 128 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in January than Korcula. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Korcula in the Spring?

Both Korcula and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Caen for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Korcula in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Caen is much colder than Korcula. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Korcula averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Korcula. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during spring. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Korcula. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Korcula and Caen