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

Should you visit Chartres or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bologna. Although Chartres and Bologna are both popular with visitors, Bologna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bologna is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also home to Piazza Maggiore.

How is Chartres different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chartres or Bologna?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Bologna.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Is the Food Better in Chartres or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Chartres or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Bologna?

Bologna is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bologna is well-known for its shopping. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Bologna Better for Families?

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

Bologna offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

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 Chartres or Bologna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chartres and Bologna make for a good place to visit.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Bologna is a good town for couples to visit. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Chartres or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Chartres or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Chartres. 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.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Chartres or Bologna a more walkable city?

Chartres and Bologna are great when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chartres and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bologna than in Chartres. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Chartres, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Chartres 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 Bologna.

One day in Chartres or Bologna?

In Chartres, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful city of Bologna offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Chartres or Bologna?

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. 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 Chartres has to offer.

Bologna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bologna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Bologna?

Chartres 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.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

A week in Chartres or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Bologna?

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

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 Chartres or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Chartres during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chartres is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chartres in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chartres. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Bologna. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chartres is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 13°C (56°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Bologna. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. Chartres is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Chartres is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chartres in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Bologna. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Chartres