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

Should you visit Geneva or Montpellier?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Montpellier. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Geneva and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Montpellier?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Montpellier. While Montpellier is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Geneva is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Montpellier is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Montpellier is well known for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Geneva different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Montpellier?

Both Geneva and Montpellier have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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

Geneva is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Geneva is an experience not to be missed. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. 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.

Is Geneva or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Montpellier has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

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 Geneva or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Geneva or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Montpellier offers plenty to see. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Montpellier?

Geneva is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Geneva is a world class destination for shoppers. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Geneva or Montpellier Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Montpellier are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

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 Geneva or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Montpellier is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit 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.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

Geneva is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Visitors to Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Geneva or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Geneva and Montpellier both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable city. 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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Montpellier. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Montpellier than Geneva. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Geneva 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 Montpellier.

One day in Geneva or Montpellier?

Geneva is a classy city where you can fill many days. Most people visit for the shopping. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Montpellier. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Montpellier?

Geneva is a professional big city where you can fill many days. 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.

Montpellier is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Montpellier?

The professional city of Geneva offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montpellier. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Montpellier. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, 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 Geneva and Montpellier, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva or Montpellier?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In July, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Geneva is cooler than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Montpellier. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In the winter, Geneva is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Montpellier averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Montpellier. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In the spring, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Montpellier. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Geneva