A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Calais vs. Hondarribia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Calais or Hondarribia?

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

Should I visit Calais or Hondarribia? 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.

Where Should I go: Calais or Hondarribia?

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

Hondarribia

The characteristic Spanish buildings painted in the brightest, most vibrant of colors only match the true spirit of the town, Hondarribia, Spain. Hondarribia is located on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth in Gipuzkoa of Basque Country. The town is rich in its Spanish history, holding both an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle within. Hondarribia is also known for its gorgeous beach of bright blue water across the Bidasoa alongside the fertile, roaming mountain of Jaizkibel. What's more, Hondarribia faces the border of Hendaye, France, so if you are yearning to expand your cultural learning, take a service boat over to Spain's friendly neighbor! No matter if you want to explore the ancient architecture or enjoy the cooling waters of the bay, Hondarribia is definitely a location known for its beauty and activity!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Calais and Hondarribia, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Hondarribia?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hondarribia. When comparing the sizes of Calais and Hondarribia, 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 Hondarribia?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Calais or Hondarribia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Calais as well as Hondarribia. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Calais is cooler than Hondarribia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Calais in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Hondarribia averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hondarribia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In the summer, Calais often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hondarribia. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 209 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in July than Hondarribia. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Hondarribia in the Autumn?

Both Hondarribia and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Calais is generally cooler than Hondarribia. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 12°C (54°F), and Hondarribia fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Hondarribia during autumn. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hondarribia. In October, Calais usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Hondarribia in the Winter?

Both Hondarribia and Calais during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. Calais is much colder than Hondarribia in the winter. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Hondarribia fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Hondarribia. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 85 hours of full sun.

Hondarribia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Calais usually gets less rain in January than Hondarribia. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Hondarribia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Hondarribia. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Calais is cooler than Hondarribia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Calais in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Hondarribia averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Calais usually receives more sunshine than Hondarribia during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Hondarribia receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Calais usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hondarribia and Calais