A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Catania vs. Chartres for Food, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Catania or Chartres?

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

Catania

Catania is a fun, historic, and lively port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Catania and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Catania than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Catania is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Catania is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Catania different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Catania and Chartres.

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 Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Catania is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Catania is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Catania is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Catania is a popular place for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Catania is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Catania is a popular place for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Catania. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Catania is great for hiking. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Chartres?

Catania is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Catania. 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Families?

Catania is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Catania is very family-friendly. 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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Catania and Chartres are notable 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.

Chartres is a good port city for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many 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.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Catania or Chartres Better for Students?

Catania is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Catania is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Both Catania and Chartres offer great public transit options.

The public transit in Catania can get you around 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.

Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Is Catania or Chartres a more walkable city?

Catania and Chartres both are great 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.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Catania?

How long in Catania or Chartres?

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

Families should spend more time in Catania than Chartres. 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 Chartres. 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 Chartres 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 Chartres?

The port city of Catania offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, 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 Chartres?

Catania is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Catania, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Chartres, 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 Chartres has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Chartres?

Catania is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

Chartres 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 Chartres?

Catania is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Catania and Chartres, 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 Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Catania or Chartres?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Catania as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Catania is a little warmer than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In the summer, Catania often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Catania because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the autumn, Catania is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Catania in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Catania. In October, Catania usually receives more rain than Chartres. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Catania or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Catania during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In January, Catania is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 10°C (51°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Catania often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Chartres. Many travelers come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

Catania is a little warmer than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during spring. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Catania usually receives less rain than Chartres. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Catania