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

Should you visit Fez or Giverny?

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 Giverny 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 busy, colorful, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a serene, inspiring, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Fez and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fez or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Fez than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Fez is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny is more popular for its small town charm. Giverny is more touristy than Fez and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Fez is well known for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes. Also, Fez is famous for the Chouara Tannery.

The Chouara Tannery

How is Fez different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Fez are world-renowned. 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.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

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

For foodies, Fez is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Fez or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Fez is mediocre for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Fez or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Fez or Giverny?

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

Known for shopping, Fez draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Fez or Giverny Better for Families?

Fez is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Fez offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Fez or Giverny Better for Couples?

Both Fez and Giverny are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Fez makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Fez or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Fez is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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

Giverny 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.

Giverny has some public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

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 Giverny a more walkable city?

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

Fez is a very walkable city. 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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Fez?

How long in Fez or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Fez or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Fez than Giverny 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 Giverny.

Families should spend more time in Fez than Giverny. 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 Giverny. 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 Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 peaceful destination of Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny for a weekend. With museums and food around the serene town of Giverny, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Fez or Giverny?

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 Giverny 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 Giverny?

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.

Giverny, 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fez and Giverny, we can see that Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Giverny 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 Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fez or Giverny?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 1710 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Fez and Giverny, 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.