A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dijon vs. Reykjavik for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Dijon or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Dijon or Reykjavik? 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 cultural, laid-back, and culinary city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Dijon and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dijon is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dijon is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also home to The Ducal Palace. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Dijon different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dijon is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dijon can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dijon is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Dijon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Dijon and Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Dijon is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Reykjavik?

Both Dijon and Reykjavik are good 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 Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Dijon is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dijon and Reykjavik make for a very good place to visit.

Dijon is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dijon and Reykjavik are good destinations for backpackers.

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.

Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Dijon and Reykjavik are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Dijon is a good city to visit for 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.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Both Dijon and Reykjavik offer good public transit options.

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

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dijon or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Reykjavik?

In either Dijon or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Dijon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dijon, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

One day in Dijon or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dijon. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this green destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the culinary destination of Dijon. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

Five days in Dijon or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Dijon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dijon or Reykjavik?

Dijon is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the friendly destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Reykjavik?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Dijon and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Dijon or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Dijon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dijon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Dijon is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Dijon. In the summer, Dijon often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Reykjavik. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Dijon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Dijon is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dijon in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Dijon usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dijon usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dijon or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Dijon can be very cold during winter. In January, Dijon is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Dijon often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Dijon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dijon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. Dijon is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Dijon usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dijon usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Dijon