A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Catania vs. Auxerre for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Catania or Auxerre?

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 Auxerre can help you decide which place is right for you.

Catania

Catania is a fun, historic, and lively port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Catania and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Catania. Although Catania and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Catania has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Catania is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Catania is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also home to Mount Etna. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Catania different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Catania and Auxerre.

Catania offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

Catania is an amazing port city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Catania is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Catania for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Beaches?

Catania is very good for the beach. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Catania is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

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.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Hiking?

Catania is great for hiking. However, Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Catania for the hiking trails. 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.

Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Auxerre?

Catania is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Catania has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Families?

Catania is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Catania. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Both Catania and Auxerre are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Catania makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Auxerre is a good port city for couples to visit. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Catania. 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Catania or Auxerre Better for Students?

Catania is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Catania is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

The public transit in Catania can get you to most places easily. 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.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Catania or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Catania is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Catania?

How long in Catania or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Catania or Auxerre 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 Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Catania than Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

In Catania, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Auxerre, you'll find food and 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 Auxerre?

In Catania, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Catania has to offer.

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

Five days in Catania or Auxerre?

Catania is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Auxerre is a great place to explore. 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 Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Catania. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Auxerre. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Auxerre?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Auxerre, 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 Auxerre?

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 Catania or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Catania as well as Auxerre. The summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In the summer, Catania is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Catania in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In the summer, Catania often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in July than Auxerre. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Catania is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 19°C (67°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Catania usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during autumn. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Catania. In October, Catania usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Catania or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Catania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Auxerre can get quite cold in the winter. Catania is much warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Catania often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets more rain in January than Auxerre. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Auxerre. Many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Catania is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Catania in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during spring. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Catania usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Catania