A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carcassonne vs. Naples for Food, Attractions, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Carcassonne or Naples?

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 Naples. 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Naples

Naples is a authentic, gritty, and colorful city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Naples?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Naples than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Naples is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Naples is well known for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. Also, Naples is famous for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Carcassonne different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carcassonne or Naples?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Naples.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Naples offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Carcassonne or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Naples, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Naples is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Naples has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Naples?

Naples is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Naples are notable family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Naples. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Couples?

Naples is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Naples makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne and Naples are both great destinations for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Naples is a great town to visit for backpackers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Students?

Naples is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Carcassonne or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Naples is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Naples is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Carcassonne or Naples a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Naples?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Carcassonne 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 Naples.

One day in Carcassonne or Naples?

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

Naples is a colorful city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Naples?

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Naples is a gritty big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. 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.

The gritty city of Naples offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Naples?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Naples. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carcassonne and Naples, we can see that Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Naples. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Naples. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Naples because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Naples in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Naples. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Naples. The winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In the winter, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Naples averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Naples. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the activities around the city.

In April, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Naples. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Carcassonne