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

Should you visit Chartres or Kotor?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Kotor? 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 historic, grand, and spectacular town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food and museums.

Kotor

Kotor is a remote, dramatic, and scenic coastal town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Chartres and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Kotor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kotor. Although Chartres and Kotor are popular destinations, Kotor has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kotor is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chartres attracts visitors for its museums. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Kotor is famous for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is also well known for The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Kotor Cathedral).

How is Chartres different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chartres is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Chartres is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kotor 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, Kotor is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

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 Kotor Better for Nightlife?

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

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Kotor is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Chartres is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Kotor offers a few options. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Chartres is not a resort destination.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kotor is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Chartres is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kotor has a few good snorkeling spots. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Chartres is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for Beaches?

Kotor is a popular place for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Kotor is a good option for a beach vacation. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Kotor is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Kotor can be explored in its historical center. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

People visit Kotor specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Chartres or Kotor Better for Families?

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

Kotor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

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 Kotor Better for Couples?

Kotor is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Kotor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

Chartres is a good town 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 Chartres or Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Kotor. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

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

Chartres is well known for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Chartres can move around easily with public transportation. 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 mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Chartres or Kotor a more walkable city?

Kotor is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Kotor is a very easy coastal town to get around on foot. The old town is best explored 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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Kotor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Chartres or Kotor. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kotor due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Chartres, and 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kotor 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 Kotor.

One day in Chartres or Kotor?

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this spectacular destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Kotor is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kotor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Kotor?

Chartres is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Chartres. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Kotor 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 Kotor?

You'll find museums and food around the grand destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kotor is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal 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 Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Kotor?

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

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 Kotor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Kotor. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kotor for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chartres is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 20°C (68°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kotor. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Kotor. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Kotor in the Autumn?

Both Kotor and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Chartres is cooler than Kotor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Kotor. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Kotor. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Kotor in the Winter?

Both Kotor and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kotor for the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Chartres is cooler than Kotor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chartres in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Kotor averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Kotor. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Kotor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Kotor. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Chartres is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 11°C (52°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Kotor. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Chartres