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

Should you visit Chartres or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Imperia? 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.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Chartres or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Imperia. Although Chartres and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Imperia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Imperia is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Imperia and is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline. It is also home to The Waterfront.

How is Chartres different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chartres
Imperia

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

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 Imperia. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.


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

Chartres
Imperia

Both Chartres and Imperia offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Imperia area. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Chartres or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Chartres
Imperia

Imperia is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Imperia has a few options to choose from. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Imperia?

Chartres
Imperia

Imperia is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Chartres or Imperia Better for Families?

Chartres
Imperia

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

Imperia offers lots of family activities. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

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 Imperia Better for Couples?

Chartres
Imperia

With fun activities for couples, both Chartres and Imperia 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.

Imperia is a good town for couples to visit. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Chartres or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres
Imperia

For backpackers, both Chartres and Imperia are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.


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

Chartres
Imperia

Chartres is notable for its public transit. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chartres can get you to most places 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.

Imperia has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Chartres or Imperia a more walkable city?

Chartres
Imperia

Chartres is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chartres or Imperia to fill your time. In our opinion, Imperia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Imperia than Chartres. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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


  • How many days in Chartres or Imperia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Chartres 1-2 
    Imperia 1-2

One day in Chartres or Imperia?

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 town of Imperia offers food and shopping. 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 Imperia?

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.

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

Five days in Chartres or Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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.

A week in Chartres or Imperia?

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.

Imperia is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Imperia or Chartres?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chartres is €117, while the average daily cost in Imperia is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chartres and Imperia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chartres 59
    Imperia 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chartres 118
    Imperia 102
Compare Hotels in Chartres and Imperia

Looking for a hotel in Chartres or Imperia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Chartres


Hotels in Imperia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chartres Hotel Prices and Imperia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chartres 26
    Imperia 36

Is it cheaper to fly into Chartres or Imperia?

Prices for flights to both Imperia and Chartres change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chartres 39
    Imperia 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chartres 22
    Imperia 13

Tours and Activities in Chartres

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chartres.

  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41

Tours and Activities in Imperia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Imperia are as follows:

  • Imperia - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chartres 12
    Imperia 7.50


When comparing the travel costs between Chartres and Imperia, 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 Imperia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chartres or Imperia?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Chartres during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the summer, Chartres is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chartres in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In Imperia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chartres. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Imperia. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chartres 20°C (68°F) 
    Imperia 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Chartres or Imperia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Imperia. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chartres is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 13°C (56°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Imperia. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chartres 13°C (56°F) 
    Imperia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Chartres or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Imperia. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. Chartres is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Imperia. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chartres 5°C (40°F) 
    Imperia 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Chartres or Imperia in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Chartres is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chartres in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Imperia. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chartres 11°C (52°F) 
    Imperia 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Imperia and Chartres

Chartres Imperia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)


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