A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fez vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Fez or Auxerre?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fez and Auxerre 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.

Fez

Fez is a colorful, cultural, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Fez and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fez or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Fez. Although Fez and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Fez has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Fez is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is known for its nightlife and small town charm. Fez is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes. It is also home to the Chouara Tannery. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

The Chouara Tannery

How is Fez different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fez or Auxerre?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Fez has many famous sights for visitors. Tucked into the medina are ancient mosques, historic universities, and beautiful gardens. Highlights of the city include Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, Dar Batha (a palace and museum), and Medersa Bou Inania (a former theological college). Another not to be missed sight is the tanneries. You'll likely smell them before you see them, but the history is truly impressive.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Fez or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Fez has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Some of the best food in Morocco can be found in Fez. Head away from the main gates and the major tourist routes to find more local restaurants. Every visitor must try tagine. It's not actually a recipe but instead a cooking pot and technique. If you order a tagine, you'll enjoy a stew like dish that's slow cooked and usually made with lamb or chicken although vegetarian options are often available. Other dishes to try include couscous and pastilla. Pastilla is a pastry covered chicken dish that is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Auxerre is a decent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Fez is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Auxerre. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fez. It's a conservative city and the nightlife reflects that. You'll find some bars in the major hotel chains and you can often find alcohol at the more expensive restaurants.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Fez offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Fez or Auxerre?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Fez specifically to go shopping. Head to the medina and try your hand at negotiating. There are impressive art shops and hidden gems spread between more touristy shops selling souvenir trinkets.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for Families?

Both Fez and Auxerre are good to visit with kids.

Fez is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering the medina, sampling Moroccan dishes, and trying their hand at bartering for a good price. There are several gardens that offer a quiet oasis from the chaotic streets. There's also baklava and other sweet treats that kids can taste. Many kids enjoy taking a tour to the nearby countryside where they can feed monkeys, hike, and visit local villages.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Auxerre. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Fez is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Fez is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Fez, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Prices are very affordable and there are riads that range in price and style. Many restaurants cater to different budgets and most of the entertainment involves wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Fez or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Auxerre is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Fez is lacking in options for its public transit.

Auxerre has some public transit options. There are buses around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Fez. There's a basic public transportation system with buses and a train station, but you'll likely need to take taxis if you can't walk to a destination. Taxis are affordable and abundant.

Is Fez or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Fez is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Fez is a very walkable destination. The medina can be explored on foot, but it's easy to get lost so allow a lot of time. There are several walking routes through the medina that are marked with colors but you'll likely find yourself wandering on and off the routes as you explore. Outside of the medina, you'll likely want to take a taxi.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Fez Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Fez?

How long in Fez or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Fez or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Fez than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Fez, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fez than Auxerre 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 Fez.

One day in Fez or Auxerre?

Because Fez is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With food and museums around the under-rated destination of Auxerre, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Fez or Auxerre?

Because Fez is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Many people visit Auxerre for a weekend. With museums and food around the authentic town of Auxerre, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Fez or Auxerre?

Fez is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fez has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Auxerre offers food and museums. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Fez or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fez. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Fez. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Auxerre, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, 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 Fez and Auxerre, we can see that Auxerre is more expensive. And not only is Fez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fez is in Africa and Auxerre is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Fez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fez 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 Auxerre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auxerre than you might in Fez.

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

Which is Bigger, Fez or Auxerre?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Fez and Auxerre, 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.