A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Liverpool vs. Calais for Nightlife, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Liverpool or Calais?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Liverpool and Calais can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a diverse, historic, and fun-filled port city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and theater.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Liverpool and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liverpool or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Liverpool. While Liverpool is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its food, beaches, and big city activities, while Liverpool is known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and shopping. Liverpool is more touristy than Calais and is known for its many museums and art galleries, as well as being the hometown of "The Beatles." Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Liverpool different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Liverpool or Calais?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Liverpool and Calais.

Liverpool offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Theater?

Liverpool is well known for its shows and theatre. However, Calais is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Liverpool. The city has a diverse theater scene with major venues showing world renowned productions as well as cozy, local venues with small shows.

Calais is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Liverpool or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Calais is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Liverpool is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Liverpool may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a diversity of flavors that are influenced by the city's international population. There are also several famous local dishes including scouse (a meat stew), toad in the hole (a giant yorkie stuffed with British sausages) and wet nelly (a dessert).

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Liverpool is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Liverpool is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife is fun and diverse Head to the waterfront for comedy clubs or the Ropewalks and Seel Street if you want a swanky experience. Cavern Quarter is the place to go for an all night party.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Music?

Liverpool is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

In Liverpool you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Known as the birthplace of the Beatles, the city has been established as a rock and pop capital since the 1950s.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for the beache. However, Liverpool is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Liverpool is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Liverpool or Calais?

Liverpool is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Liverpool. Head to Liverpool ONE for the area's best shopping. This is the largest open-air shopping center in the UK and it's filled with a mix of name brands and independent vendors.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Families?

Liverpool is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Liverpool is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. One of the most popular activities for families is Pleasureland, an amuseument park with rides that are fun for young kids. The city also has many museums and play spaces that are great for families.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Liverpool and Calais are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Liverpool makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is fun, and the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway is to find a fun or unique activity that you can enjoy together. Going dancing, dining out, or seeing a show are all fun activities in the area.

Calais is a good port city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Liverpool is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Liverpool. The city has some fun hostels where you can stay and meet other travelers.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Students?

Liverpool is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Liverpool is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city is diverse, affordable, and offers an excellent academic environment. International students will fill welcomed and enjoy a fun city with a lot to offer.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Liverpool or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Liverpool and Calais.

You'll find some public transit in Liverpool, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains, buses, and ferries around the area.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Liverpool or Calais a more walkable city?

Liverpool is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Liverpool is a very walkable destination.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Liverpool Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Liverpool?

How long in Liverpool or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Liverpool and Calais. In our opinion, Liverpool has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Liverpool than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Liverpool, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Liverpool than Calais 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 Liverpool.

One day in Liverpool or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Liverpool. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calais. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Liverpool or Calais?

Liverpool is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calais. 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 Liverpool or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Liverpool. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Calais. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Liverpool or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Liverpool. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Liverpool or Calais?

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

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 Liverpool or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Liverpool are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Liverpool for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Liverpool is cooler than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Liverpool in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Liverpool usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Liverpool gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Calais. Liverpool gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Liverpool or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Liverpool during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Liverpool in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Liverpool is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Calais. Liverpool gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Liverpool gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Liverpool and Calais. Most visitors come to Liverpool for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. Liverpool is a little warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Liverpool averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Liverpool gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Calais. Liverpool gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Liverpool or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Liverpool as well as Calais. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the spring, Liverpool is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Liverpool in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Calais. Liverpool gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Liverpool gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Liverpool