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

Should you visit Graz or Carcassonne?

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

Should I visit Graz or Carcassonne? 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.

Graz

Graz is a historical, beautiful, and medieval city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Graz and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Graz. Although Graz and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Graz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Graz is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its small town charm. Graz is famous for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also well known for The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

How is Graz different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Graz or Carcassonne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Graz and Carcassonne.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Many visitors head to Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Graz or Carcassonne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Graz and Carcassonne.

Graz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Dining out in Carcassonne is an experience not to be missed. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Graz has a large number of nightlife venues. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Graz is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Graz has a world-famous historical area. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Carcassonne?

Graz is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Graz is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Graz is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

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

Graz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Graz. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Graz or Carcassonne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Graz is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Graz is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Graz or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Graz and Carcassonne are amazing when it comes to walkability.

Graz is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

It is easy to get around Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Graz Worth Visiting? and Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Graz?

How long in Graz or Carcassonne?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Graz than Carcassonne 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 Graz.

One day in Graz or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Graz. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the medieval destination of Graz. 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.

Carcassonne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Five days in Graz or Carcassonne?

The medieval city of Graz offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums and food around the fairytale destination of Carcassonne. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Graz. 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.

The historical town of Carcassonne offers food and museums. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Carcassonne?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Carcassonne, 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 Graz or Carcassonne?

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 Graz or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 23°C (73°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In Graz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Graz usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

Graz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Graz as well as Carcassonne. The autumn months attract visitors to Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Graz is cooler than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Graz in the winter. In the winter, Graz is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Graz during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Carcassonne. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Graz