A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lille vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Lille or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Pompeii, 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 friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Lille and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Pompeii?

Both Pompeii and Lille have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Lille different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

Pompeii is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Lille or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Lille or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Pompeii?

Lille is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Lille or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Lille and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Lille or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lille and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Lille or Pompeii Better for Students?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Lille is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Lille or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Lille and Pompeii both are terrific when exploring on foot.

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.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Lille?

How long in Lille or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lille or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lille than Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

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

Couples should spend more time in Lille than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Lille or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii, many people enjoy the museums that this famous destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lille or Pompeii?

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 museums around the one-of-a-kind destination of Pompeii. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lille and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Lille Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lille or Pompeii?

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 Lille or Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Lille during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lille is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lille in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lille. In the summer, Lille often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Pompeii. The autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lille is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 12°C (54°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lille usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lille or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lille as well as Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. Lille is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Lille often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Lille usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lille is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lille in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lille usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Lille