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

Should you visit Hannover or Caen?

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 Hannover and Caen. 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.

Hannover

Hannover is a cultural, dynamic, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Hannover and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hannover or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hannover than Caen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hannover is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Caen is known for its museums and food. Hannover is popular for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system. It is also home to The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Hannover different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Caen is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. 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.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

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

Caen is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Is Hannover or Caen Better for Nightlife?

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

Hannover has a large number of nightlife venues. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

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 Hannover or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Hannover is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

Hannover is a good destination for visiting its old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hannover or Caen?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Hannover. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Hannover or Caen Better for Families?

Both Hannover and Caen are good family-friendly destinations.

Hannover offers lots of family activities. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Hannover or Caen Better for Couples?

Hannover and Caen both good destinations for a couple.

Hannover is a nice destination for couples. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

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 Hannover or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hannover and Caen are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

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 Hannover or Caen Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Hannover. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Hannover and Caen both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Hannover is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

Caen has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Hannover or Caen a more walkable city?

Hannover 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.

Hannover is very walkable. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Hannover?

How long in Hannover or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hannover and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Caen than in Hannover. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hannover, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hannover 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 Hannover.

One day in Hannover or Caen?

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

The city of Caen offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Hannover or Caen?

Hannover 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.

Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Caen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Hannover or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Hannover. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Hannover or Caen?

The vibrant city of Hannover offers nightlife and food. 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.

Caen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hannover or Caen?

Hannover has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Hannover 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 Hannover 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 Hannover or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hannover and Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Hannover because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Hannover is around the same temperature as Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. Hannover usually receives less sunshine than Caen during summer. Hannover gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hannover usually receives more rain than Caen. Hannover gets 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hannover or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hannover as well as Caen. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hannover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Hannover is cooler than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hannover in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Hannover often gets less sunshine than Caen. Hannover gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Hannover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Hannover are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hannover for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hannover. In January, Hannover is generally much colder than Caen. Daily temperatures in Hannover average around 1°C (33°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Hannover usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Hannover gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hannover usually receives less rain than Caen. Hannover gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hannover or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Hannover during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hannover in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

Hannover is cooler than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Hannover often gets less sunshine than Caen. Hannover gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Hannover gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Hannover