A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Granada or Caen?

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

Should I visit Granada or Caen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Granada and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Granada than Caen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Granada is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is known for its food and big city activities. Granada is more touristy than Caen and is known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also home to The Alhambra. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Granada different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Granada or Caen?

Granada is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Granada from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Granada has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Granada or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Granada is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Granada is one of the most recognized in the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Hiking?

Granada is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Caen?

Granada is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Caen.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Couples?

Granada is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Students?

Granada is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Many students visit Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Caen is not popular with students.

Is Granada or Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Caen is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Granada or Caen a more walkable city?

Granada is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Granada?

How long in Granada or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Caen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Caen 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 Granada.

One day in Granada or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Granada. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Granada or Caen?

Granada is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Caen, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Caen has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Granada. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Caen?

The beautiful city of Granada offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Caen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Caen?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Caen, 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 Granada or Caen?

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 Granada or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Granada is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Caen. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the autumn, Granada is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Granada in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Caen. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Caen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Caen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. In January, Granada is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 12°C (54°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Caen. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Caen. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city.

Granada is much warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Caen. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Caen. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Granada