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

Should you visit Dijon or Volterra?

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

Should I visit Dijon or Volterra? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volterra

Volterra is a historic, charming, and medieval town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Dijon and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Volterra?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dijon. Although Dijon and Volterra are both popular with visitors, Dijon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dijon is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Volterra is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dijon is more touristy than Volterra and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also home to The Ducal Palace. Volterra is popular for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Dijon different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Dijon and Volterra have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Dijon and Volterra.

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.

Volterra has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Dijon is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Dijon has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is terrific for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Volterra has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Volterra?

Both Dijon and Volterra 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 Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dijon or Volterra.

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.

Volterra is a family-friendly city. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for Couples?

Volterra is terrific for romance. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Volterra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

Dijon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dijon and Volterra 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.

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Is Dijon or Volterra Better for Students?

Dijon is a popular place for students. However, Volterra 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.

Volterra is not popular with students.

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

Dijon is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dijon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Dijon or Volterra a more walkable city?

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

It is easy to get around Volterra on foot. Most people explore the town 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 Volterra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Volterra?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dijon or Volterra to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dijon than Volterra because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dijon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Volterra.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dijon than Volterra 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 Volterra?

The city of Dijon offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Volterra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This town 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 Volterra?

Dijon 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dijon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Dijon or Volterra?

Dijon is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

Volterra is a fun place to experience. Volterra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dijon or Volterra?

Dijon is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

Volterra is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 food. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Volterra?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Dijon and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

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

Dijon is around the same temperature as Volterra in the summer. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during summer. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dijon usually receives more rain than Volterra. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dijon or Volterra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Volterra. 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 Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dijon is cooler than Volterra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dijon in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Volterra averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Volterra. Dijon usually gets less rain in October than Volterra. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Volterra in the Winter?

Both Volterra 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 Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. In January, Dijon is generally much colder than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 3°C (38°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during winter. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dijon usually receives less rain than Volterra. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dijon or Volterra in the Spring?

Both Volterra 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 Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Dijon is cooler than Volterra in the spring. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in April than Volterra. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Dijon