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

Should you visit Catania or Avignon?

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

Catania

Catania is a lively, youthful, and fun 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.

Avignon

Avignon is a scenic, picturesque, and historical town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Catania and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Avignon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Catania than Avignon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Catania is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Avignon is known for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Catania is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also home to Mount Etna. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Catania different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Avignon 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 Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

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 Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Catania and Avignon offer first-rate 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.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Avignon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Catania is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Catania has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for Beaches?

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

Catania offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon 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.

Avignon has a world-famous historical area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 Avignon Better for Hiking?

Catania is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Avignon?

Both Catania and Avignon 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.

Avignon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for Families?

Catania is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for Couples?

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

Avignon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

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 Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Catania or Avignon Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Catania. 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.

Avignon is not popular with students.

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

Catania is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Catania or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Avignon on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Catania?

How long in Catania or Avignon?

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

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

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

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.

Avignon is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Avignon?

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.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Avignon has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Avignon?

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.

Avignon 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 Avignon?

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 Avignon. Since Avignon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Catania and Avignon, we can see that Avignon 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon 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 Avignon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Catania or Avignon?

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

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 Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Catania during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Catania in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Catania. In the summer, Catania often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in July than Avignon. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Avignon. Most visitors come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Avignon because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Avignon during autumn. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Catania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Catania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Avignon. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Catania or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Catania as well as Avignon. The winter months attract visitors to Catania because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

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

In the winter, Catania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Avignon. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Avignon. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm.

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

It's quite sunny in Avignon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Catania. Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Avignon during spring. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Catania usually receives less rain than Avignon. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Catania