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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Urbino?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Urbino than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Urbino is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Urbino is well known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere. Also, Urbino is famous for Palazzo Ducale di Urbino.

How is Carcassonne different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne
Urbino

Carcassonne is great for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.


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

Carcassonne
Urbino

Both Carcassonne and Urbino offer very good 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 Urbino. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Carcassonne or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Carcassonne
Urbino

Urbino 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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne
Urbino

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Carcassonne and Urbino.

Carcassonne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Many people head to Urbino to see the old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.


Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Urbino?

Carcassonne
Urbino

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Urbino. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Urbino Better for Families?

Carcassonne
Urbino

Carcassonne is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Carcassonne offers lots of family activities. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Carcassonne or Urbino Better for Couples?

Carcassonne
Urbino

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

Urbino makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne
Urbino

Carcassonne is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Carcassonne or Urbino Better for Students?

Carcassonne
Urbino

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

Many students visit Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Carcassonne
Urbino

Carcassonne is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Carcassonne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.


Is Carcassonne or Urbino a more walkable city?

Carcassonne
Urbino

Carcassonne is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Urbino?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Carcassonne or Urbino? Ideal Length of Stay
    Carcassonne 1-2 
    Urbino 1-2

One day in Carcassonne or Urbino?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic town of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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 authentic town of Urbino offers shopping and museums. 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the medieval 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 Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Urbino or Carcassonne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Carcassonne is €106, while the average daily cost in Urbino is €118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Carcassonne and Urbino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Carcassonne 61
    Urbino 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Carcassonne 122
    Urbino 106
Compare Hotels in Carcassonne and Urbino

Looking for a hotel in Carcassonne or Urbino? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Carcassonne


Hotels in Urbino


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Carcassonne Hotel Prices and Urbino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Carcassonne 7.14
    Urbino 44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Urbino

Also for Urbino, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Borgo Maggiore to Rimini (RMI) Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Carcassonne or Urbino?

Prices for flights to both Urbino and Carcassonne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Carcassonne 39
    Urbino 39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Carcassonne 14
    Urbino 15

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Best of Cathar Country: Full-Day Private Tour.: $207
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne Private Guided Walking Tour: $294
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour : $201
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Fortress Walking Tour: $171
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Photoshoot Experience: $160
  • Private Walking Tour with Cité de Carcassonne: $187

Tours and Activities in Urbino

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Urbino.

  • E-BIKE Tour San Marino for couples: $114
  • Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience: $8.68
  • From Montefeltro Tour with Truffle Lunch: $396
  • Guided Tour of San Marino at Sunset with aperitif included: $184
  • Guided group tour of Ducal Palace and National Gallery: $94
  • Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino: $92
  • Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site: $172
  • Private tour with Welcome KIT in San Marino: $136
  • San Marino Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Tour: $8.97
  • San Marino’s Starlit Stroll: A Christmas Walking Tour: $153
  • San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • San Marino: Food Tasting Tour: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Carcassonne 13
    Urbino 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $471


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


Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Urbino?

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

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Urbino. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Urbino because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Urbino. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Urbino. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Carcassonne 24°C (75°F) 
    Urbino 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Urbino. The autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Urbino in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in October than Urbino. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Carcassonne 17°C (62°F) 
    Urbino 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Urbino. In the winter, Carcassonne is much warmer than Urbino. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Urbino averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In January, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Urbino. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Carcassonne 8°C (47°F) 
    Urbino 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Carcassonne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Urbino in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Carcassonne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Urbino. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Carcassonne 14°C (56°F) 
    Urbino 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Urbino and Carcassonne

Carcassonne Urbino
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)