A Travel Price Comparison for France Dijon vs. Calais for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Dijon or Calais?

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

Should I visit Dijon or Calais? 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.

Dijon

Dijon is a relaxing, historical, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dijon and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dijon than Calais. Dijon is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dijon is better known for its museums, food, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its beaches. Dijon is more touristy than Calais and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Also, Dijon is famous for The Ducal Palace. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Dijon different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dijon or Calais?

Dijon is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Dijon or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Dijon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Dijon and Calais.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for its beaches. However, Dijon is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Dijon is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Calais?

Both Dijon and Calais are notable shopping destinations.

Dijon is a great destination for shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dijon or Calais.

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Calais is a family-friendly city. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Couples?

Dijon is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dijon is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Students?

Dijon is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Dijon is popular with students. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Dijon or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Dijon and Calais offer notable public transit options.

Dijon has a few public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Dijon or Calais a more walkable city?

Dijon and Calais both are notable when exploring on foot.

Dijon is somewhat walkable. Most of the inner city is walkable.

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Dijon Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dijon and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dijon than in Calais. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dijon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dijon than Calais 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 Dijon.

One day in Dijon or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dijon. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dijon or Calais?

Dijon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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.

Five days in Dijon or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Dijon or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Dijon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Calais?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Dijon and Calais, 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 Dijon or Calais?

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 Dijon or Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Calais. The summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In July, Dijon is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 21°C (70°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dijon usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dijon usually receives more rain than Calais. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dijon or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Calais. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Dijon is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Dijon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Dijon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. In the winter, Dijon is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dijon in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Dijon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dijon usually receives more rain than Calais. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dijon or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Dijon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dijon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Dijon is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 11°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Dijon often gets more sunshine than Calais. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Dijon