A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carcassonne vs. Gijon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Carcassonne or Gijon?

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 Carcassonne and Gijon. 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.

Where Should I go: Carcassonne or Gijon?

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

Gijon

Gijon is a coastal city of the Asturias Principality of Spain. Known for its Roman past, museums, sculptures, and architecture, visitors have many opportunities to learn about Gijon's cultural and historic past. Given its location by the sea, the city is also skirted by a few nice beaches for a more leisurely getaway.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Carcassonne and Gijon, we can see that Gijon 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 Carcassonne Expensive? and Is Gijon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Gijon?

Gijon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Gijon, 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 Carcassonne or Gijon?

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 Carcassonne or Gijon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Gijon. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Gijon. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gijon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 203 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Gijon. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Gijon in the Autumn?

Both Gijon and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Gijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Gijon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gijon. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Gijon in the Winter?

Both Gijon and Carcassonne during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Carcassonne is cooler than Gijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Gijon averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Gijon. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 95 hours of full sun.

Gijon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Gijon. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Gijon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Gijon. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In April, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Gijon. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Gijon. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gijon and Carcassonne