A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chartres vs. Ezcaray for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chartres or Ezcaray?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Ezcaray? 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.

Where Should I go: Chartres or Ezcaray?

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

Ezcaray

Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Ezcaray?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?

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 Chartres or Ezcaray in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Ezcaray. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chartres is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 20°C (68°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chartres usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chartres usually receives more rain than Ezcaray. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chartres or Ezcaray in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Ezcaray. Many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Chartres is cooler than Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ezcaray. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ezcaray. Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Ezcaray. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Ezcaray in the Winter?

Both Ezcaray and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chartres is much colder than Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chartres in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Ezcaray during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. In January, Chartres usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chartres or Ezcaray in the Spring?

Both Ezcaray and Chartres during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In April, Chartres is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 11°C (52°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Chartres often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 117 hours of full sun.

Ezcaray gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Ezcaray. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Chartres