A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cordoba vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cordoba or Arles?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cordoba and Arles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a colorful, flower-filled, and historical town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cordoba and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cordoba or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cordoba than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cordoba is more touristy than Arles and is known for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. It is also well known for La Mezquita. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Cordoba different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Cordoba. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cordoba or Arles?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cordoba or Arles.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cordoba on the map. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Is the Food Better in Cordoba or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cordoba and Arles offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Cordoba is an experience not to be missed. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Cordoba is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Cordoba is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Both Cordoba and Arles have amazing historic old towns worth visiting.

The rich history of Cordoba can be explored in its historical center. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Cordoba or Arles?

Both Cordoba and Arles are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Cordoba to go shopping. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Families?

Cordoba is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cordoba. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Cordoba and Arles are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cordoba is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cordoba is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cordoba is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Students?

Cordoba is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Cordoba. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Cordoba or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Cordoba and Arles offer nice public transit options.

Cordoba has a few public transit options. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

Arles has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Cordoba or Arles a more walkable city?

Cordoba and Arles both are superb when exploring on foot.

Cordoba is a very walkable destination. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cordoba Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Cordoba?

How long in Cordoba or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cordoba or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cordoba than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cordoba, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cordoba than Arles 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 Cordoba.

One day in Cordoba or Arles?

In Cordoba, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Arles, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the 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.

A weekend in Cordoba or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cordoba. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

In Arles, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Cordoba or Arles?

Cordoba is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cordoba. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Cordoba or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of Cordoba. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Arles?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba and Arles, 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 Cordoba or Arles?

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 Cordoba or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cordoba and Arles. Many visitors come to Cordoba in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cordoba is a little warmer than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cordoba usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during summer. Cordoba gets 358 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cordoba usually receives less rain than Arles. Cordoba gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cordoba or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cordoba as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Cordoba for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cordoba is a little warmer than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cordoba in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cordoba this time of the year. In the autumn, Cordoba often gets more sunshine than Arles. Cordoba gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Cordoba usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Cordoba gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cordoba or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Cordoba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cordoba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In January, Cordoba is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 10°C (50°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Cordoba usually receives more sunshine than Arles during winter. Cordoba gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cordoba usually receives more rain than Arles. Cordoba gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cordoba or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Cordoba during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Cordoba this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

Cordoba is a little warmer than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cordoba. In the spring, Cordoba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Cordoba gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Cordoba gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Cordoba