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

Should you visit Caen or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik. 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Caen and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Caen. Although Caen and Reykjavik are both popular with visitors, Caen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Caen is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Caen and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. 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 Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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 Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Caen or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Caen and Reykjavik.

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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Caen or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Reykjavik?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

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

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen and Reykjavik are both good 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 Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Caen or Reykjavik Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Caen or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore 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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Caen?

How long in Caen or Reykjavik?

In either Caen or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Caen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Caen, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Caen or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Caen. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Caen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the park-filled city of Caen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the safe destination of Reykjavik. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Caen or Reykjavik?

Caen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The green city of Reykjavik offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Caen is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. Caen usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Caen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the autumn, Caen is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Caen in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Reykjavik. The winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. The weather in Caen can be very cold. In January, Caen is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 5°C (41°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Caen usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Caen as well as Reykjavik. The activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Caen is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 9°C (49°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Caen