A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isle of Skye vs. Arles for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Arles?

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 Isle of Skye and Arles. 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.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a scenic, picturesque, and stunning island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Isle of Skye and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Arles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Arles than Isle of Skye, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Arles is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Isle of Skye is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Isle of Skye different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isle of Skye or Arles?

Arles is terrific for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Isle of Skye and Arles.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Isle of Skye. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Arles is a good destination for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Isle of Skye is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its historic old town. However, Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Isle of Skye specifically for its hiking. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Arles?

Arles is a good destination for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Families?

Isle of Skye is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Isle of Skye. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye and Arles both high quality destinations for a couple.

Isle of Skye makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Isle of Skye is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arles is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Arles has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Isle of Skye or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Isle of Skye or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Isle of Skye than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

One day in Isle of Skye or Arles?

In Isle of Skye, many people enjoy the food that this diverse destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the hiking. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Arles, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic town offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Arles?

Isle of Skye is a fun place to experience. In Isle of Skye, many people enjoy the food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isle of Skye or Arles?

You'll find food around the scenic destination of Isle of Skye. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Isle of Skye and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Isle of Skye Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye and Arles, 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 Isle of Skye or Arles?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Isle of Skye during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Isle of Skye is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 13°C (55°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Arles. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Arles. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Isle of Skye is much colder than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Isle of Skye gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Isle of Skye can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Isle of Skye is much colder than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isle of Skye in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Arles. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye receives a lot of rain in the winter. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In April, Isle of Skye is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 7°C (44°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Isle of Skye