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

Should you visit Calais or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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

Should I visit Calais or Vitoria-Gasteiz? 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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!

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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Calais and Vitoria-Gasteiz, we can see that Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Calais during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Calais. In the summer, Calais often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in July than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Calais is generally cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 12°C (54°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vitoria-Gasteiz during autumn. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Calais usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Calais as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Calais is much colder than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the winter. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais usually gets less rain in January than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

Calais usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In April, Calais usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Calais