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

Should you visit Cefalu or Chartres?

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 Chartres. 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 touristy, charming, and coastal fishing village. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Cefalu and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cefalu or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cefalu than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cefalu is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its museums. Cefalu is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its beautiful blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and great local food. Also, Cefalu is famous for the beaches. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Cefalu different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chartres is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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 Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cefalu is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

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 Cefalu or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Cefalu is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Cefalu doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Cefalu or Chartres Better for Resorts?

Cefalu is great for its luxury resorts. However, Chartres is not a resort destination.

Cefalu is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There's a wide range of resorts to choose from including Club Med and even a nature hotel.

Chartres is not a resort destination.

Is Cefalu or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Cefalu is great for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Cefalu is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Cefalu or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Cefalu is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Cefalu. The town is charming and small, making it a nice place to explore.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Cefalu or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Cefalu is a popular place for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Cefalu is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cefalu or Chartres?

Cefalu is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Cefalu has some nice offerings. 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cefalu or Chartres Better for Families?

Cefalu is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Cefalu offers lots of family activities. 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.

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 Cefalu or Chartres Better for Couples?

Cefalu is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Cefalu makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Chartres is a good fishing village 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 Cefalu or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Chartres. 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.

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

Chartres 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 Chartres can get you around easily. 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.

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 Chartres a more walkable city?

Cefalu and Chartres are superb when it comes to walkability.

Cefalu is a very walkable fishing village. The town is small enough to explore 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 Cefalu Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Cefalu?

How long in Cefalu or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cefalu or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cefalu than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cefalu, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

Families should spend more time in Cefalu than Chartres. 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 Chartres. 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.

One day in Cefalu or Chartres?

Cefalu is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Cefalu or Chartres?

Cefalu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this fishing village makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cefalu, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Chartres 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 Chartres?

Cefalu is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

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

Cefalu is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This fishing village offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the grand destination of Chartres. This town 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cefalu. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Chartres?

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 Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cefalu and Chartres. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cefalu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Cefalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Cefalu gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Chartres. Cefalu gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cefalu or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cefalu as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Cefalu for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

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

In the autumn, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Cefalu gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Cefalu gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cefalu or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Cefalu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cefalu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. In January, Cefalu is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Cefalu average around 10°C (51°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Cefalu usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Cefalu gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cefalu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Cefalu gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cefalu or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Cefalu during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cefalu for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

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

It's quite sunny in Cefalu. In the spring, Cefalu often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Cefalu gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets less rain in April than Chartres. Cefalu gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Cefalu