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

Should you visit Caen or Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo. 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.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a cultural, beautiful, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Caen and Sarajevo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Sarajevo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarajevo than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Caen is more touristy than Sarajevo and is known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. Sarajevo is famous for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Caen different from Sarajevo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Sarajevo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

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

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

Eat your way through Sarajevo, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

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 Sarajevo Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Sarajevo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

Is Caen or Sarajevo Better for its Old Town?

Sarajevo is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Sarajevo is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Caen or Sarajevo Better for Hiking?

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

Sarajevo is well-known for its hiking and trekking. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarajevo. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Sarajevo Better for Families?

Caen is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Caen or Sarajevo Better for Couples?

Caen is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Caen or Sarajevo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Sarajevo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

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 Sarajevo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Caen and Sarajevo.

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

Public transit in Sarajevo can get you to some places easily. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

Is Caen or Sarajevo a more walkable city?

Caen and Sarajevo are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

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

Should I spend more time in Sarajevo or Caen?

How long in Caen or Sarajevo?

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

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

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

One day in Caen or Sarajevo?

The city of Caen offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sarajevo. 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 Sarajevo?

Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Caen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Sarajevo is a fun place to experience. 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 Sarajevo?

Caen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the overlooked destination of Sarajevo. This city 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 Sarajevo?

Caen is a great place to explore. 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 something for everyone.

The historical city of Sarajevo offers nightlife and food. 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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Sarajevo, 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 Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

Both Sarajevo 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 hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Sarajevo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Sarajevo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sarajevo. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

Both Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

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

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caen usually gets less rain in October than Sarajevo. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Sarajevo in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. Caen is cooler than Sarajevo in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Sarajevo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Caen as well as Sarajevo. Many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Caen is much colder than Sarajevo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sarajevo. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Caen usually gets less rain in April than Sarajevo. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Caen