A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and Aix-en-Provence 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

You'll generally find more things to do in Mainz than Aix-en-Provence. Mainz is bigger than Aix-en-Provence, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Mainz is better known for its historical sights, while Aix-en-Provence is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Mainz is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Also, Mainz is famous for The Mainz Cathedral. Aix-en-Provence is well known for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Mainz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Mainz or Aix-en-Provence.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Aix-en-Provence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Aix-en-Provence have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Aix-en-Provence is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Aix-en-Provence. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is terrific for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Aix-en-Provence. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Neither Mainz nor Aix-en-Provence are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Mainz is not always a place people visit with their families. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Aix-en-Provence are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Aix-en-Provence are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Aix-en-Provence are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Many students visit Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mainz is well known for its public transit. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Mainz can get you to most places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

While Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Mainz or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Mainz is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Mainz or Aix-en-Provence. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

The beautiful destination of Mainz offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Aix-en-Provence, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic destination offers. This town 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 Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

The town of Mainz offers museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. 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 Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

Mainz is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

A week in Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the relaxing destination of Aix-en-Provence. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Mainz and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Mainz 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 Mainz Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Aix-en-Provence. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Mainz or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Mainz or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

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

In July, Mainz is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 19°C (66°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mainz. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Aix-en-Provence. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

Mainz is cooler than Aix-en-Provence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Aix-en-Provence. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. In the winter, Mainz is much colder than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mainz in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Mainz is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Aix-en-Provence. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Mainz