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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Siena?

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 Siena. 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 medieval, historical, and fairytale town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food and museums.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Siena. Although Carcassonne and Siena are both popular with visitors, Siena has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Siena is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is known for its small town charm. Carcassonne is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Siena is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also home to Piazza del Campo.

How is Carcassonne different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Siena.

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.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Both Carcassonne and Siena offer high quality 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 Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Carcassonne or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena 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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

Siena has a world-famous historical area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Siena Better for Families?

Carcassonne is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Carcassonne or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is notable for backpackers. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Carcassonne or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Carcassonne and Siena.

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 Siena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Carcassonne or Siena a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Siena is a very walkable town. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Siena?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Siena 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 Siena?

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historical destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the history destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

Carcassonne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The romantic city of Siena 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 Siena?

You'll find museums and food around the medieval destination of Carcassonne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Siena?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

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

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Siena. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Carcassonne in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Carcassonne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 8°C (47°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Siena. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Siena. The spring months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Siena. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Carcassonne