A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. Lille for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Inverness or Lille?

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 Inverness and Lille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a culinary, friendly, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Inverness and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Lille?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lille than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Lille and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Also, Lille is famous for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Inverness different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or Lille?

Inverness is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Inverness or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

Inverness has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a well-known place for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Lille?

Lille is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Lille make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Families?

Inverness is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Lille are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Inverness is not popular with students.

Is Inverness or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lille is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Lille has some very good public transit options. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable destination. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Lille?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Inverness 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 Lille.

One day in Inverness or Lille?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Lille. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the culinary destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Lille?

Inverness is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Inverness. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Lille. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Inverness. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Lille, 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 Inverness or Lille?

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 Inverness or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

Inverness is cooler than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Lille during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives less rain than Lille. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Inverness is cooler than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Lille. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Lille. Many visitors come to Inverness in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Inverness can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Lille during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Lille. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Lille. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

Inverness is cooler than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Lille. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Lille. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Inverness