A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carcassonne vs. Ravenna for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Carcassonne or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna. 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 historical, fairytale, and medieval town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Ravenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ravenna. Although Carcassonne and Ravenna are popular destinations, Ravenna has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ravenna is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. It is also well known for Basilica di San Vitale.

How is Carcassonne different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Ravenna.

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.

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

Both Carcassonne and Ravenna offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Ravenna. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Carcassonne or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Ravenna is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ravenna. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is a good destination for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Carcassonne. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Ravenna?

Ravenna is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Ravenna is a very family-friendly destination. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Carcassonne or Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Carcassonne and Ravenna.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Carcassonne or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Carcassonne or Ravenna to fill your time. In our opinion, Ravenna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ravenna than Carcassonne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Carcassonne or Ravenna?

In Carcassonne, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Ravenna is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Ravenna?

In Carcassonne, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carcassonne has to offer.

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town 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 Ravenna?

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Because Ravenna is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carcassonne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Ravenna is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

In the summer, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Ravenna averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In July, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Carcassonne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Ravenna. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ravenna can get quite cold in the winter. Carcassonne is much warmer than Ravenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Ravenna. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Ravenna averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Carcassonne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ravenna. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Carcassonne