A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Calais vs. Imperia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Calais or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Calais or Imperia? 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 coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Imperia

Imperia is a undiscovered, authentic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Imperia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Calais and Imperia are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Imperia attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall. Imperia is famous for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Calais different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

Both Calais and Imperia offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Calais area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Calais or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Imperia has a few options to choose from. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Calais or Imperia Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beach. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Imperia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Imperia and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Calais or Imperia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Imperia.

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.

Imperia offers lots of family activities. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Calais or Imperia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Calais and Imperia make for a nice place to visit.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Calais or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Imperia. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Imperia.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

While Imperia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Calais or Imperia a more walkable city?

Calais and Imperia both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Calais?

How long in Calais or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Calais or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Calais than Imperia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 1-2 days is enough time in Imperia.

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

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

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

One day in Calais or Imperia?

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Imperia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Calais or Imperia?

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer.

Imperia 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.

Five days in Calais or Imperia?

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Imperia. 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.

A week in Calais or Imperia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Imperia. This town 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Imperia?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Calais and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Imperia. The summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

Calais is cooler than Imperia in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Imperia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Imperia this time of the year. In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives more rain than Imperia. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Imperia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Calais as well as Imperia. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Calais is much colder than Imperia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Imperia averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in October than Imperia. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Imperia in the Winter?

Both Imperia and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. In January, Calais is generally much colder than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Imperia. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Imperia in the Spring?

Both Imperia and Calais during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

Calais is much colder than Imperia in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Imperia fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Imperia. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Calais