A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dusseldorf vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Dusseldorf or Caen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Dusseldorf and Caen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a fun-filled, cultural, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Dusseldorf and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dusseldorf than Caen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dusseldorf is more popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Caen is known for its museums. Dusseldorf is popular for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. It is also home to Altstadt (the Old Town). Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Dusseldorf different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Caen is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

Is the Food Better in Dusseldorf or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Dusseldorf and Caen offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dusseldorf makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Caen has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dusseldorf or Caen has a better nightlife scene.

Dusseldorf has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Dusseldorf is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Dusseldorf is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Dusseldorf. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for Families?

Dusseldorf is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Dusseldorf is a very family-friendly destination. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for Couples?

Dusseldorf is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Dusseldorf makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dusseldorf and Caen are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dusseldorf is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Dusseldorf has a great public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

Public transit in Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Dusseldorf or Caen a more walkable city?

Dusseldorf is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Dusseldorf is very walkable. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Dusseldorf Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Dusseldorf?

How long in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dusseldorf and Caen. In our opinion, Dusseldorf has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Dusseldorf than Caen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dusseldorf than Caen 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 Dusseldorf.

One day in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dusseldorf. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and nightlife around the important city of Caen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dusseldorf or Caen?

Dusseldorf is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Caen, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Dusseldorf or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dusseldorf. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Dusseldorf or Caen?

The historic city of Dusseldorf offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dusseldorf or Caen?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Dusseldorf and Caen, 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 Dusseldorf or Caen?

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 Dusseldorf or Caen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dusseldorf as well as Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Dusseldorf is around the same temperature as Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. In the summer, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Caen. Dusseldorf gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Dusseldorf gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Dusseldorf are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Dusseldorf is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dusseldorf in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Dusseldorf gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dusseldorf usually receives less rain than Caen. Dusseldorf gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Dusseldorf during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dusseldorf. In January, Dusseldorf is generally much colder than Caen. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 3°C (37°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Caen. Dusseldorf gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Caen. Dusseldorf gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Caen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dusseldorf and Caen. Many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

Dusseldorf is around the same temperature as Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Dusseldorf gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dusseldorf usually receives more rain than Caen. Dusseldorf gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Dusseldorf