A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Calais vs. Venice for Attractions, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Calais or Venice?

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

Should I visit Calais or Venice? 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Venice

Venice is a romantic, cultural, and magical city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Calais and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Venice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Venice than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Venice is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Calais attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities. Venice is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also well known for St. Mark's Basilica. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Venice on the map. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Both Calais and Venice 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 Venice. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Calais or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Calais is very good for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Calais or Venice Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. 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.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Venice can be explored in its historical center. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Venice?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Venice is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

Venice is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Venice is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Calais offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Calais or Venice Better for Couples?

Venice is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Venice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Venice is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Venice. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Venice is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Venice has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Venice on foot is easy. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Calais?

How long in Calais or Venice?

Both Calais and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Calais. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

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

One day in Calais or Venice?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Calais or Venice?

Calais 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.

Venice 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 Venice?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Venice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Venice?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Venice. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Venice?

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

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 Venice in the Summer?

Both Venice and Calais during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the family-friendly experiences.

Calais is cooler than Venice in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Venice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Calais. In the summer, Calais often gets less sunshine than Venice. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Venice. Many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Calais is cooler than Venice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Venice averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Venice during autumn. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Calais usually receives less rain than Venice. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Venice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Calais as well as Venice. Many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Venice can be very cold during winter. Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Calais is generally much warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Venice. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in January than Venice. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Venice because of the natural beauty.

Calais is cooler than Venice in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Venice fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Venice during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Calais usually receives less rain than Venice. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Calais