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

Should you visit Catania or Toulon?

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

Catania

Catania is a historic, lively, and youthful port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulon

Toulon is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and real world port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Catania and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Catania. Although Catania and Toulon are about the same size, Catania has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Catania is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty. Catania is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also well known for Mount Etna. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Catania different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Catania and Toulon.

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 Toulon. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Catania is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its 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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Catania is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Catania offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a moderate port city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Catania and Toulon are nice choices for a beach vacation.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Catania is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Catania to see the historical old town. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Hiking?

Catania is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Catania is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Toulon?

Toulon is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

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.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Families?

Catania is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Catania is 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Couples?

Both Catania and Toulon are nice 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.

Toulon is a good port city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Catania or Toulon Better for Students?

Catania is a well-known place for students. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Catania is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Catania is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Catania or Toulon a more walkable city?

Catania and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Catania?

How long in Catania or Toulon?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and 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.

A weekend in Catania or Toulon?

Catania is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Toulon, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Toulon has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lively destination of Catania. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Toulon?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In July, Catania is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 26°C (79°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Catania. Catania usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Catania usually receives more rain than Toulon. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Catania or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Catania during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Catania is a little warmer than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Catania often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Catania. Catania usually gets more rain in October than Toulon. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Toulon. Many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Catania is much warmer than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Catania in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during winter. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Catania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Catania or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Catania as well as Toulon. Many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Catania is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 15°C (58°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In the spring, Catania often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in April than Toulon. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Catania