A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heidelberg vs. Avignon for Food, Old Town, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Heidelberg or Avignon?

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 Heidelberg and Avignon. 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Avignon

Avignon is a quaint, charming, and scenic town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Avignon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Avignon than Heidelberg. While Heidelberg is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Avignon is very popular for its museums, food, and small town charm, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its nightlife, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Avignon is famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also well known for Palais des Papes.

How is Heidelberg different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Heidelberg or Avignon?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Heidelberg or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Heidelberg has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Heidelberg and Avignon.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Avignon has a world-famous historical area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Avignon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Heidelberg and Avignon both offer plenty of nice spots.

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Avignon are nice family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Avignon is a family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Avignon both excellent destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Avignon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Heidelberg or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Avignon is a very easy town to get around on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Avignon?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heidelberg than Avignon 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 Heidelberg.

One day in Heidelberg or Avignon?

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Avignon, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Avignon?

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

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Heidelberg or Avignon?

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Avignon, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Heidelberg and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Heidelberg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heidelberg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heidelberg 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Heidelberg.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Avignon?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Avignon, 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 Heidelberg or Avignon?

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 Heidelberg or Avignon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Avignon. The summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

Heidelberg is cooler than Avignon in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Avignon. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Avignon. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Avignon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Avignon. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Avignon in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. In January, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Avignon. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Heidelberg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months.

Heidelberg is cooler than Avignon in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Avignon. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Heidelberg