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

Should you visit Chartres or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Ravenna? 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 grand, spectacular, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Ravenna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ravenna than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Also, Ravenna is famous for Basilica di San Vitale.

How is Chartres different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ravenna is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. 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.

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

Ravenna is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ravenna has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

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 Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Ravenna 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 Ravenna has a few options to choose from. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Ravenna?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Ravenna are notable 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.

Ravenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Chartres is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Chartres can get you to some 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.

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Chartres or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Chartres and Ravenna are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Ravenna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Chartres or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and Ravenna, we can see that Chartres is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Ravenna. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is cooler than Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Chartres usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chartres or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Ravenna. The autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere. Additionally, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

In the autumn, Chartres is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Ravenna. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. In January, Chartres is generally much warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Chartres usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chartres or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna and Chartres during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Chartres