A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cardiff vs. Verona for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cardiff or Verona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cardiff or Verona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Verona

Verona is a beautiful, stunning, and romantic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Verona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Verona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cardiff than Verona. Cardiff is bigger than Verona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cardiff is better known for its big city activities, while Verona is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Verona is more touristy than Cardiff and is popular for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Also, Cardiff is famous for The Cardiff Castle.

How is Cardiff different from Verona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Verona and Cardiff. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cardiff or Verona?

Verona is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Is the Food Better in Cardiff or Verona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Verona is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Verona. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Verona has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

If you're looking for night time activities Verona has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for its Old Town?

Verona is a great destination for its old town. However, Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Verona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Verona and Cardiff.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Verona has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Families?

Cardiff is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Couples?

Verona is a great destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Couples visit Verona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Verona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Students?

Cardiff and Verona are notable places to visit for students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

It's common for students to visit Verona. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Is Cardiff or Verona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Verona is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Verona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. ATV operates buses through the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Verona a more walkable city?

Verona is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

For even more information, also check out Is Cardiff Worth Visiting? and Is Verona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Verona or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Verona?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and Verona. In our opinion, Verona has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Verona than Cardiff. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Verona than Cardiff 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 Verona.

One day in Cardiff or Verona?

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

In Verona, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cardiff or Verona?

Cardiff 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.

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

Five days in Cardiff or Verona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. 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.

Verona is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Cardiff or Verona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Verona. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Cardiff and Verona, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Verona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Verona?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Verona. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Verona, 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 Cardiff or Verona?

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 Cardiff or Verona in the Summer?

Both Verona and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Verona this time of year.

Cardiff is cooler than Verona in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Verona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Verona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Verona. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 286 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Verona. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Verona receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Verona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Verona. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Verona for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cardiff is cooler than Verona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Verona averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Verona during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Verona. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Verona receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Verona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Verona. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Verona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Verona can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. In January, Cardiff is generally much warmer than Verona. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Verona fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Verona. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 98 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Verona. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Verona receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Verona in the Spring?

Both Verona and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Verona for the natural beauty during these months.

Cardiff is cooler than Verona in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Verona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Verona during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Verona. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Verona receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Verona and Cardiff