A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hamburg vs. Calais for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Hamburg or Calais?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hamburg and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a vibrant, historic, and energetic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Hamburg attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Calais and is known for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Hamburg different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hamburg or Calais?

Hamburg is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Hamburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Hamburg or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Hamburg and Calais.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Hamburg area. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Hamburg is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Music?

Hamburg is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

In Hamburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, Hamburg is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Hamburg is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Calais?

Hamburg is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Families?

Hamburg is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Hamburg and Calais are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Hamburg is a good port city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hamburg is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Students?

Hamburg is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Hamburg is popular with students. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Hamburg or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hamburg is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Hamburg or Calais a more walkable city?

Hamburg is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Calais?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hamburg than Calais 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 Hamburg.

One day in Hamburg or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hamburg. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hamburg or Calais?

Hamburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Hamburg or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hamburg. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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.

Calais 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 Hamburg or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic destination of Hamburg. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hamburg and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. And not only is Hamburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hamburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hamburg 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais than you might in Hamburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Calais?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg and Calais, 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 Hamburg or Calais?

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 Hamburg or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hamburg is around the same temperature as Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hamburg. Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during summer. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Calais. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hamburg or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Hamburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Hamburg is cooler than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hamburg in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Calais. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Calais in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Hamburg in the winter. In January, Hamburg is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 0°C (33°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Calais. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hamburg or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Hamburg is cooler than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Hamburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Hamburg