A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Caen for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lagos 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 Lagos 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.

Lagos

Lagos is a vibrant, beautiful, and scenic resort town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Lagos and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lagos. Although Lagos and Caen are both popular with visitors, Lagos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lagos is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is known for its museums and big city activities. Lagos is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to Ponta da Piedade. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Lagos different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Caen is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Lagos and Caen offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

Caen has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Nightlife?

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

Lagos has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

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 Lagos or Caen Better for Resorts?

Lagos is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Caen is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Lagos for its luxury resorts. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Caen is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Beaches?

Lagos is renowned for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Hiking?

Lagos is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lagos. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Caen?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Lagos. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Families?

Lagos is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lagos is very family-friendly. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Lagos or Caen Better for Couples?

Lagos is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Lagos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

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 Lagos or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Lagos. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

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

Caen is well known for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Caen can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Lagos or Caen a more walkable city?

Caen is a good destination for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lagos and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lagos than in Caen. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Lagos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

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

One day in Lagos or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Lagos. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Caen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this historic destination offers. This city 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.

A weekend in Lagos or Caen?

Lagos is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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.

Five days in Lagos or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Lagos. This resort town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A week in Lagos or Caen?

The beautiful resort town of Lagos offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Lagos and Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos 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 Lagos or Caen?

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 Lagos or Caen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Lagos is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Lagos is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Caen. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lagos or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Lagos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lagos for 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. In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Caen. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Caen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Caen. Many visitors come to Lagos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

Lagos is much warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Caen. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Lagos