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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Volterra?

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 Volterra. 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. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food and museums.

Volterra

Volterra is a charming, medieval, and cultural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Volterra?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Volterra. Although Carcassonne and Volterra are both popular with visitors, Volterra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Carcassonne is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Volterra is popular for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. It is also home to The Roman Theater.

How is Carcassonne different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Volterra.

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.

Volterra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

Volterra 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 Volterra, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Volterra is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Volterra. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

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

Volterra has a world-famous historical area. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

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 Volterra?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Volterra Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Volterra are good 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 Volterra. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Carcassonne or Volterra Better for Couples?

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

Volterra is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere 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 Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is well known for backpackers. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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

Carcassonne is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Carcassonne or Volterra a more walkable city?

Carcassonne and Volterra are amazing when it comes to walkability.

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.

Getting around Volterra on foot is easy. Most people explore the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Volterra?

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

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

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

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

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Volterra is a small town with plenty to do. 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 town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Volterra?

Carcassonne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carcassonne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Volterra?

Carcassonne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Since Volterra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Carcassonne and Volterra, 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 Volterra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Volterra?

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

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 Volterra in the Summer?

Both Volterra and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Volterra in the summer. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Volterra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Volterra. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Volterra in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Volterra. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

Volterra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Volterra. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Volterra in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Volterra. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

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

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Volterra. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Volterra in the Spring?

Both Volterra and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Volterra in the spring. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Volterra. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Carcassonne