A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Catania vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Catania or Arles?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Catania and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Catania

Catania is a youthful, fun, and historic port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Catania and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Catania than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Catania is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Catania is more touristy than Arles and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also home to Mount Etna. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Catania different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Catania or Arles?

Arles is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Catania. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Catania or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Catania is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Catania has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Catania or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Catania is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Catania is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Beaches?

Catania is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Catania to enjoy the beach. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is very popular for its old town. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Catania has an old town worth visiting. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Hiking?

Catania is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Catania. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Arles?

Both Catania and Arles are good shopping destinations.

Catania offers some nice shopping areas. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Families?

Catania is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Catania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Catania is a good port city for couples to visit. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Catania is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social scene.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Students?

Catania is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Catania is very popular with students. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Catania or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Catania is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Catania. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Catania or Arles a more walkable city?

Catania and Arles both are very good when exploring on foot.

Catania is a very walkable port city. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Catania Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Catania?

How long in Catania or Arles?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Catania than Arles 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 Catania.

One day in Catania or Arles?

In Catania, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the food. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Arles, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the 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.

A weekend in Catania or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

In Arles, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Arles?

Catania is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Catania. Lots of people come for the food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles 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 Catania or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Arles?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Arles, 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 Catania or Arles?

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 Catania or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Arles. The summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the summer, Catania is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Catania in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Catania usually receives less rain than Arles. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Catania or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Catania as well as Arles. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Catania is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 19°C (67°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Catania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Catania usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Arles. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Catania is much warmer than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during winter. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Catania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Catania or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Catania during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Catania is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Catania in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Catania. In the spring, Catania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Catania