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

Should you visit Caen or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna. 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. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Ravenna?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Caen than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Caen is very popular for its big city activities, while Ravenna attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also well known for Pegasus Bridge. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Caen different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Caen and Ravenna.

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 Ravenna. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Caen or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Caen and Ravenna.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. 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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Ravenna?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is a very family-friendly destination. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen and Ravenna 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 Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Caen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Caen or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is very walkable. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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 Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Caen?

How long in Caen or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Caen or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Caen than Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

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

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

One day in Caen or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Caen or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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.

Five days in Caen or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Caen or Ravenna?

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.

Because Ravenna is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caen and Ravenna, we can see that Caen is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Ravenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Ravenna averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In July, Caen usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Caen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Caen usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Ravenna. Many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ravenna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. Caen is much warmer than Ravenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Caen usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Caen as well as Ravenna. Many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Ravenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Ravenna averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Caen