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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Lille?

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 Lille 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 gothic, ancient, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Lille. Edinburgh is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille is more popular for its food and shopping. Edinburgh is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Edinburgh different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is notable for its theatre productions. However, Lille is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Lille is not a theatre destination.

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

Lille is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Lille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Lille.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Lille is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Music?

Edinburgh is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Edinburgh has a world-famous historical 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.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Lille?

Lille is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Families?

Edinburgh is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. 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.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Edinburgh or Lille Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and Lille are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Many students visit Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Lille is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Lille can get you to some places easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Lille a more walkable city?

Edinburgh and Lille are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Lille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Lille. 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 Lille. 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 Lille 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 Lille?

In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this charming 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 food and shopping around the city of Lille. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Lille?

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 shopping and nightlife around the historic destination of Lille. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Lille?

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 cultural city of Lille. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Lille?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the ancient 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.

Lille 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Lille, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Lille?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Lille. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lille because of the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Lille. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Lille during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Lille. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lille. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lille. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Lille. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the spring for the natural beauty.

Edinburgh is cooler than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Lille during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Lille. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Edinburgh