A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Caen vs. Vitoria-Gasteiz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. 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.

Where Should I go: Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

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 Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Caen is cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the summer. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Caen is cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Caen in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen usually gets less rain in October than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. In January, Caen is generally much colder than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 5°C (41°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Caen is cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the spring. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 9°C (49°F) in April, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun.

Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caen usually gets less rain in April than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Caen