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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Lastres?

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 Lastres. 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 Lastres?

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.

Lastres

A city by the sea, Lastres (or Llastres) started out as a small fishing and whaling village accessible only by a dangerous path over cliffs. Today, it is still known as the "beautiful village of Asturias," with breathtaking views of the sea, streets full of historic charm, and a grand chain of mountains just inland. It is the perfect little getaway for someone wanting to bask in the beauty of nature with all the comforts of civilization at hand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Carcassonne or Lastres?

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 Lastres in the Summer?

Both Lastres and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the summer, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Lastres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Lastres averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Lastres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Lastres. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lastres receives 203 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Carcassonne or Lastres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Lastres. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Lastres. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Lastres fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

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

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

Should I visit Carcassonne or Lastres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Lastres. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Lastres in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Lastres fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Lastres. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Lastres. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lastres receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Lastres in the Spring?

Both Lastres and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Lastres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Lastres averages at about 12°C (53°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Lastres and Carcassonne