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

Should you visit Lille or Imperia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Imperia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lille

Lille is a fascinating, cultural, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Lille or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille. Although Lille and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Lille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Imperia is known for its museums. Lille is more touristy than Imperia and is known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also home to Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)
Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Lille different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lille
Imperia

Imperia is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Imperia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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 Lille or Imperia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Lille or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Lille or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Imperia?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Lille is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Lille or Imperia Better for Families?

Lille
Imperia

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

Imperia is a family-friendly place to visit. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

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 Lille or Imperia Better for Couples?

Lille
Imperia

Lille and Imperia are both good to visit as a couple.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Imperia is a good city for couples to visit. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.


Is Lille or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille
Imperia

Both Lille and Imperia are good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lille. 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.

Imperia is a good city to visit for backpackers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Is Lille or Imperia Better for Students?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is notable for students. However, Imperia is not popular with students.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Imperia is not popular with students.

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

Lille
Imperia

Lille is notable for its public transit. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Lille can get you to most places easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Imperia has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.


Is Lille or Imperia a more walkable city?

Lille
Imperia

Lille is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Lille?

How long in Lille or Imperia?

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

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

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

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


  • How many days in Lille or Imperia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lille 1-3 
    Imperia 1-2

One day in Lille or Imperia?

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

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

A weekend in Lille or Imperia?

In Lille, 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 Lille has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Imperia. 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 Lille or Imperia?

Lille 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.

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

A week in Lille or Imperia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Imperia. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Imperia or Lille?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lille is €115, while the average daily cost in Imperia is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lille and Imperia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lille 55
    Imperia 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lille 110
    Imperia 102
Compare Hotels in Lille and Imperia

Looking for a hotel in Lille or Imperia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lille


Hotels in Imperia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lille Hotel Prices and Imperia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lille 28
    Imperia 36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lille

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lille:

  • Toulouse Airport private transfer to Toulouse City center: $38
  • Private Transfer to or from Lille Airport: $53
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille Airport (LIL) to City centre: $57
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille city centre to Lille Airport (LIL): $57
  • Private One way transfer Lille Airport (LIL) : $77
  • Private Round trip transfer to Lille Airport (LIL) : $155
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris CDG: $535
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris Orly Airport: $642

Is it cheaper to fly into Lille or Imperia?

Prices for flights to both Imperia and Lille change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lille 42
    Imperia 35
Typical Food Prices in Lille

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lille are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lille 16
    Imperia 13

Tours and Activities in Lille

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lille are as follows:

  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $4.28
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lille City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • Vieux Lille 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Lille City Tour: $18
  • Tournai Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while escaping the zombies! Escape game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while playing! Escape game - The alchemist: $22

Tours and Activities in Imperia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Imperia are as follows:

  • Imperia - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lille 17
    Imperia 7.50


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


Which is Bigger, Lille or Imperia?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Lille and Imperia, 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 Lille or Imperia?

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 Lille or Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Lille is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lille in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Imperia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. Lille usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during summer. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lille usually receives more rain than Imperia. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lille 17°C (63°F) 
    Imperia 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Lille or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia and Lille during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Imperia because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lille is generally much colder than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 12°C (54°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Lille often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets less rain in October than Imperia. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lille 12°C (54°F) 
    Imperia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lille or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Imperia. The winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Lille is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lille usually receives less rain than Imperia. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lille 3°C (38°F) 
    Imperia 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Lille or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lille as well as Imperia. The natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lille is much colder than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lille in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Lille often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets less rain in April than Imperia. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lille 8°C (47°F) 
    Imperia 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Imperia and Lille

Lille Imperia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)


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