A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cambridge vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a beautiful, collegiate, and scholarly university town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cambridge than Aix-en-Provence, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cambridge is better known for its museums, nightlife, and small town charm, while Aix-en-Provence is more popular for its food and shopping. Cambridge is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Also, Cambridge is famous for King's College and the King's College Chapel. Aix-en-Provence is well known for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Cambridge different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Cambridge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Cambridge is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cambridge can be an interesting and educational experience. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cambridge. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Cambridge is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Cambridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Aix-en-Provence. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Cambridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Cambridge is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cambridge. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence both great destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Cambridge is terrific for students. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Cambridge is a great destination for students. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

Students come from all over to stay in Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence.

Cambridge has some public transit options. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Cambridge is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Cambridge on foot is easy. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cambridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cambridge than Aix-en-Provence 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 Cambridge.

One day in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

The collegiate destination of Cambridge offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Aix-en-Provence. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

The university town of Cambridge offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Aix-en-Provence. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Cambridge is a great place to explore. This university town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant town of Aix-en-Provence. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cambridge. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Cambridge 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 Cambridge Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Cambridge. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Aix-en-Provence, 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.