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

Should you visit Caen or Verona?

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 Verona. 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.

Verona

Verona is a cultural, beautiful, and stunning city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Verona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Verona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Caen than Verona. While Verona is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Caen is very popular for its big city activities, while Verona attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Verona is more touristy than Caen and is known for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also well known for Pegasus Bridge.

How is Caen different from Verona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Caen or Verona.

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.

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Caen and Verona.

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 Verona. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

Is Caen or Verona Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Verona has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

Is Caen or Verona Better for its Old Town?

Verona 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 Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Verona?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Verona. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Verona Better for Families?

Caen is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Caen offers lots of family activities. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Caen or Verona Better for Couples?

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

Verona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

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 Verona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen and Verona 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 Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Is Caen or Verona Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Verona. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

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

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

Verona has a few public transit options. ATV operates buses through the city.

Is Caen or Verona a more walkable city?

Verona 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.

Verona is very walkable. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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 Verona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Verona or Caen?

How long in Caen or Verona?

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

Families should spend more time in Caen than Verona. 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.

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

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

One day in Caen or Verona?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Verona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Caen or Verona?

Caen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Verona 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 Verona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Verona. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Caen or Verona?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of Verona offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caen and Verona, we can see that Verona 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 Verona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Verona 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 Verona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Verona?

Verona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Verona, 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 Verona?

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 Verona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Verona. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Verona for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Verona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Verona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Verona this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Verona during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives less rain than Verona. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Verona receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Verona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Verona. Many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions. Additionally, many visitors come to Verona in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Verona. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Verona fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Verona. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 137 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in October than Verona. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Verona receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Verona in the Winter?

Both Verona and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Verona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Verona can be very cold during winter. Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Caen is much warmer than Verona in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Verona fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Verona during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives more rain than Verona. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Verona receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Verona in the Spring?

Both Verona and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Verona because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Verona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Verona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Verona. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 169 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Verona. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Verona receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Verona and Caen