A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cefalu vs. Caen for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cefalu or Caen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cefalu and Caen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cefalu

Cefalu is a coastal, historic, and touristy fishing village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Cefalu and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cefalu or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cefalu. Although Cefalu and Caen are popular destinations, Cefalu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cefalu is very popular for its resorts, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities. Cefalu is more touristy than Caen and is known for its beautiful blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and great local food. It is also well known for the beaches. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Cefalu different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Caen and Cefalu. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cefalu or Caen?

Caen is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Cefalu offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time on the beach or getting lost in the town's charm, but if you're looking for specific sights and museums you can check out the Cathedral, Museo Mandralisca, or Tempio di Diana.

Is the Food Better in Cefalu or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cefalu and Caen both to be excellent destinations.

Cefalu has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Despite being a popular tourist hot spot, there are still charming restaurants around town that serve up local dishes made with local ingredients. Many seaside restaurants have a charming atmosphere and a unique Sicilian flare.

Dining out in Caen is an experience not to be missed. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Caen is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Cefalu is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The town is small and mellow without a huge party scene. There are some beach resorts with bars and clubs attached where you can enjoy a drink by the water.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Resorts?

Cefalu is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Caen is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Cefalu to choose from. There's a wide range of resorts to choose from including Club Med and even a nature hotel.

Caen is not a resort destination.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Beaches?

Cefalu is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Cefalu for it's beautiful beaches. The town has nice beaches with good swimming and kayaking opportunities. Some of the beaches can get quite crowded but the water is blue and the views are nice. Some of the best beaches near town include Cefalu Beach, Kalura Beach, and Lido Angeli Del Mare.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Cefalu is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Cefalu. The town is charming and small, making it a nice place to explore.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Hiking?

Cefalu is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Cefalu offers some nice hiking trails. There are a few walking trails outside of town but the most popular is hiking to the top of La Rocca. It's at least an hours walk to the top but from there you can enjoy one of the best views of the harbor.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cefalu or Caen?

Cefalu is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Cefalu is a good destination for shopping. It's a small, touristy town, so shopping isn't the main attraction. There are some interesting shops that are fun to pop into though.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Families?

Both Cefalu and Caen are nice family-friendly destinations.

Cefalu is a family-friendly fishing village. Kids will enjoy beach time or wandering down the promenade, Lungomare. You can swim or simply relax by the water. Another fun activity is to climb the nearby mountain of La Rocca. The kids might even spot a local animal.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Couples?

Cefalu is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Cefalu is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's natural beauty and Italian atmosphere make this a perfect couples destination. There are water activities for the adventurous as well as beautiful beaches and great restaurants.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Cefalu is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a big backpacker vibe to the town, and you won't find tons of hostels, but there are affordable places that budget travelers can stay.

Is Cefalu or Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cefalu. Public transit is limited but taxis are a good alternative for getting out of town and into the surrounding areas.

Is Cefalu or Caen a more walkable city?

Cefalu is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Cefalu is very walkable. The town is small enough to explore on foot.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cefalu Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Cefalu?

How long in Cefalu or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cefalu and Caen. In our opinion, Cefalu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cefalu than Caen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cefalu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

Families should spend more time in Cefalu than Caen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cefalu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Cefalu 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 Caen.

One day in Cefalu or Caen?

Cefalu is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cefalu or Caen?

Cefalu is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Caen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Cefalu or Caen?

Cefalu is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This fishing village offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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.

A week in Cefalu or Caen?

Because Cefalu is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cefalu. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu and Caen, 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 Cefalu or Caen?

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 Cefalu or Caen in the Summer?

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

In July, Cefalu is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Cefalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cefalu. Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Cefalu gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Caen. Cefalu gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cefalu or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Cefalu during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cefalu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

Cefalu is much warmer than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cefalu averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Caen. Cefalu gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Cefalu gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cefalu or Caen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cefalu and Caen. Many travelers come to Cefalu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cefalu is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cefalu in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Cefalu gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Caen. Cefalu gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cefalu or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cefalu as well as Caen. Many visitors come to Cefalu in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Cefalu is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Cefalu average around 15°C (58°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cefalu this time of the year. In the spring, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Caen. Cefalu gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets less rain in April than Caen. Cefalu gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Cefalu