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

Should you visit Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Arles is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Edinburgh different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Arles.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. 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 Edinburgh or Arles Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is well known for its shows and theatre. However, Arles is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Arles is not a theatre destination.

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

Arles is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Arles has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

Edinburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or Arles Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Arles Better for its Old Town?

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

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. 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 Edinburgh or Arles?

Edinburgh is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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

Is Edinburgh or Arles Better for Families?

Edinburgh is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Arles Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Edinburgh or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Arles Better for Students?

Edinburgh is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is very popular with students. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Arles.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Edinburgh or Arles a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Arles?

In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this ancient destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Arles?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Arles?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the museums and theater that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint town of Arles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Arles?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the charming destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Arles?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Arles?

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 Edinburgh or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Arles. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Arles. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music 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 October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Arles. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Arles. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Arles. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Arles. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Edinburgh