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

Should you visit Chartres or Siena?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Siena? 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. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Siena. Although Chartres and Siena are popular destinations, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also well known for Piazza del Campo. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Chartres different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena 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.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena 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 Siena has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Siena?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Siena Better for Families?

Neither Chartres nor Siena are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Chartres is not always the best place to visit. 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.

Siena is not the most family-friendly destination. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Chartres or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Siena are nice 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.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Chartres or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

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

Public transit in Chartres is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Chartres or Siena a more walkable city?

Chartres and Siena are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Siena is a very walkable destination. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Siena?

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

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

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

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

One day in Chartres or Siena?

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.

The beautiful city of Siena 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 Siena?

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.

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

Five days in Chartres or Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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.

Siena is a great place to explore. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Siena?

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

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena 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. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chartres is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 20°C (68°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

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

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Siena in the Autumn?

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

Chartres is cooler than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

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

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Siena. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Siena in the Winter?

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

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Chartres is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chartres in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

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

Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena 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 Siena because of the natural beauty.

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

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

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Siena. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Chartres