A Travel Price Comparison for France Calais vs. Bordeaux for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calais or Bordeaux?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Calais or Bordeaux? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a romantic, historical, and elegant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Bordeaux?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bordeaux than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bordeaux is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its beaches. Bordeaux is more touristy than Calais and is known for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bordeaux and Calais. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Calais or Bordeaux?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Calais or Bordeaux.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Bordeaux is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Calais or Bordeaux? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bordeaux is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calais and Bordeaux.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Bordeaux offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Bordeaux.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Bordeaux is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Calais or Bordeaux Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bordeaux is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bordeaux. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Calais or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Bordeaux is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Calais Worth Visiting? and Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Calais?

How long in Calais or Bordeaux?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux than Calais 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 Bordeaux.

One day in Calais or Bordeaux?

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Calais or Bordeaux?

Calais 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 Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Bordeaux?

Calais 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Bordeaux?

Calais 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais and Bordeaux, 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 Calais or Bordeaux?

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 Calais or Bordeaux in the Summer?

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

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Bordeaux. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bordeaux. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Calais is cooler than Bordeaux in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in October than Bordeaux. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Bordeaux. Many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. In the winter, Calais is cooler than Bordeaux. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Bordeaux. Many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Bordeaux. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Calais