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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Oviedo?

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 Oviedo. 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 Oviedo?

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.

Oviedo

Oviedo is the capital city of the Asturias Principality in Northern Spain. It is a city of churches and cathedrals with many of its buildings designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its old town, or Casco Antiguo, is the most historic part of Oviedo, where many of the UNESCO sites are situated.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Oviedo?

Oviedo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Oviedo, 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 Oviedo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Oviedo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Oviedo. The summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Oviedo in the summer. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Oviedo fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oviedo this time of the year. In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Oviedo during summer. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Oviedo receives 203 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Oviedo receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Oviedo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Oviedo. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the autumn, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Oviedo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Carcassonne in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Oviedo averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oviedo receives 138 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Oviedo receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Oviedo in the Winter?

Both Oviedo and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Carcassonne is generally cooler than Oviedo. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 8°C (47°F), and Oviedo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Oviedo during winter. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Oviedo receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Oviedo. In January, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oviedo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Oviedo in the Spring?

Both Oviedo and Carcassonne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Oviedo in the spring. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Oviedo fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oviedo receives 143 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in April than Oviedo. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oviedo receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oviedo and Carcassonne