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

Should you visit Catania or Versailles?

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

Catania

Catania is a fun, historic, and lively port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Versailles

Versailles is a extensive, beautiful, and grand palace. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums.

Catania and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Versailles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Catania than Versailles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Catania is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Catania and is popular for its long running history and its grand architecture. Catania is famous for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also well known for Mount Etna.

How is Catania different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles 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 Versailles are among the most recognizable in the world. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Catania is an amazing port city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Catania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Catania is a great port city for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Catania has something for everybody. 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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Beaches?

Catania is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles is not a beach destination.

Catania has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Catania is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Catania is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Hiking?

Catania is a great port city for hiking. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Versailles?

Catania is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Families?

Catania is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Catania is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Couples?

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

Versailles is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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 Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is a great port city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Catania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Catania or Versailles Better for Students?

Catania is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

Catania is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Both Catania and Versailles offer excellent 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.

Versailles offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

Is Catania or Versailles a more walkable city?

Catania and Versailles both are excellent 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.

Versailles is a very walkable destination. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Catania?

How long in Catania or Versailles?

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the historic port city of Catania, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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, one day is sufficent for most.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Catania, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. 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 Versailles has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Versailles?

Catania, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles 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 Versailles?

Catania is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Versailles?

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

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 Versailles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Catania as well as Versailles. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

In July, Catania is generally a little warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 26°C (79°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

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

Catania usually gets less rain in July than Versailles. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Versailles in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

Catania is a little warmer than Versailles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Catania. In October, Catania usually receives more rain than Versailles. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Catania or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Catania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Catania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Versailles for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Versailles can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Catania is much warmer than Versailles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Catania in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Versailles averages at about 5°C (40°F).

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

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

Should I visit Catania or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Versailles. Most visitors come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Versailles because of the natural beauty.

In April, Catania is generally a little warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 15°C (58°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

In April, Catania usually receives less rain than Versailles. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Catania