A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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. 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 museums, theater, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a iconic, religious, and historic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Edinburgh is better known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is well known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Mont-Saint-Michel is well known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

How is Edinburgh different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel on the map. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Edinburgh know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Edinburgh is revered around the world. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with good options for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and theater around the destination of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and museums around the island of Mont-Saint-Michel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With theater and nightlife around the vibrant city of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find museums and food around the breathtaking destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife and live music around the vibrant destination of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the religious island of Mont-Saint-Michel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 5450 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Edinburgh is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Mont-Saint-Michel. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

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

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. In January, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty.

Edinburgh is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Edinburgh