A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Montpellier for Food, Beaches, Old Town, and Attractions

Should you visit Chania or Montpellier?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Montpellier, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a charming, picturesque, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Chania and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Montpellier?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chania than Montpellier. While Montpellier is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chania is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Chania is more touristy than Montpellier and is known for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Chania different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chania or Montpellier?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chania or Montpellier.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Chania can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Chania or Montpellier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chania is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Chania, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Chania and Montpellier.

Chania has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Chania is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Chania offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Montpellier is revered around the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Hiking?

Chania is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Montpellier is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Montpellier is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Montpellier?

Montpellier is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Families?

Chania is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Chania and Montpellier are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania and Montpellier are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Chania is not popular with students.

Is Chania or Montpellier Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montpellier is well known for its public transit. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Montpellier. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

While Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Is Chania or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Chania and Montpellier both are great when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Chania?

How long in Chania or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chania and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chania than in Montpellier. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 1-3 days is enough time in Montpellier.

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

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

One day in Chania or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic city of Chania. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Montpellier. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Chania or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Chania. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Montpellier 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 Chania or Montpellier?

The picturesque city of Chania offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montpellier. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Chania or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Chania. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Montpellier. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Montpellier, we can see that Montpellier is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Montpellier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montpellier than you might in Chania.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chania or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Montpellier, 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 Chania or Montpellier?

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 Chania or Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Chania is a little warmer than Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Chania during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Chania is a little warmer than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chania usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Montpellier. Most visitors come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Chania is generally much warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Chania usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chania as well as Montpellier. The spring months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Chania is a little warmer than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the spring, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Montpellier. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Chania