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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Montpellier?

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 Montpellier 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 charming, character-filled, and vibrant 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 live music, shopping, and museums.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a historic, vibrant, and bustling city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Montpellier?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Montpellier, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Montpellier is known for its food and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Montpellier 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. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Edinburgh different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. 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.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shows and theatre. However, Montpellier is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Montpellier is not a theatre destination.

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

Montpellier is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Montpellier has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

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 Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Montpellier attract visitors from all over. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and Montpellier have fantastic 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 Montpellier is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Montpellier?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Edinburgh and Montpellier.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Montpellier are very good 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 Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Edinburgh or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Montpellier is a very popular city for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can get you to some places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier 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

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Montpellier?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming city of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Montpellier. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Montpellier has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the ancient city of Edinburgh. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Montpellier. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Edinburgh. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Montpellier is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Montpellier?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montpellier for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Montpellier. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Montpellier. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Edinburgh