A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Caen vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular, scenic, and world-famous national park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Caen and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Caen. Although Caen and Plitvice Lakes National Park are both popular with visitors, Caen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Caen is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Caen and is known for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge.

How is Caen different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Caen is great for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Caen is very good for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very family-friendly destination. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

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

Plitvice Lakes National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plitvice Lakes National Park is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Caen can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Caen?

How long in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Caen than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Caen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

One day in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Caen is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find food and museums around the important destination of Caen. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days 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.

You'll find around the spectacular destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This national park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The important city of Caen offers museums and nightlife. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The scenic national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park offers . 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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Caen and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Caen is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Caen is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Caen in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the cuisine.

The weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold. Caen can be very cold during winter. In January, Caen is generally much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 5°C (41°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Caen usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

Caen is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 9°C (49°F) in April, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Caen