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

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Calais?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Calais? 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.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a impressive, spectacular, and iconic destination. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and beaches.

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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cape Sounion and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Cape Sounion and Calais are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cape Sounion attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Cape Sounion is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Cape Sounion different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Cape Sounion. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion on the map. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

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 Cape Sounion or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cape Sounion and Calais offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Cape Sounion is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Calais offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Cape Sounion or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calais. 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.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or Calais Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Cape Sounion and Calais are nice choices.

Cape Sounion is a good option for a beach vacation. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Calais is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cape Sounion or Calais.

Cape Sounion is a family-friendly destination. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

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.

Is Cape Sounion or Calais Better for Couples?

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

Cape Sounion is a good destination for couples to visit. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

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 Cape Sounion or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cape Sounion and Calais.

Cape Sounion has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

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.

Is Cape Sounion or Calais a more walkable city?

Cape Sounion and Calais are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cape Sounion is a somewhat walkable destination. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cape Sounion and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Cape Sounion. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cape Sounion, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion.

One day in Cape Sounion or Calais?

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

In Calais, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this undiscovered city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Cape Sounion is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cape Sounion or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Sounion. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cape Sounion or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the iconic destination of Cape Sounion. This destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cape Sounion and Calais, we can see that Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion and Calais, 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 Cape Sounion or Calais?

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 Cape Sounion or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Cape Sounion during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cape Sounion because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Cape Sounion is much warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Sounion. In the summer, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Calais. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Cape Sounion gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Calais. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cape Sounion is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Sounion in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Calais. Cape Sounion gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cape Sounion is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 10°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Calais. Cape Sounion gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Calais. Cape Sounion gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Cape Sounion is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Calais. Cape Sounion gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Cape Sounion