A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Mainz or Avignon?

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 Avignon 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 historic, quaint, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Avignon

Avignon is a historical, quaint, and charming town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Avignon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Avignon than Mainz. While Mainz is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Avignon is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm, while Mainz is more popular for its impressive beauty. Mainz is well known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Avignon is well known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Also, Avignon is famous for Palais des Papes.

How is Mainz different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Avignon is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Avignon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in Mainz or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Avignon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity 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 Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Avignon 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 Avignon. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

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 Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is terrific for its historic old town. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Avignon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Avignon?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Mainz and Avignon.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. 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.

Avignon offers some nice shopping areas. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Mainz or Avignon Better for Families?

Avignon is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Avignon is a family-friendly town. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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.

Is Mainz or Avignon Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Avignon are very good 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 Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Mainz or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Avignon 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 Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Mainz or Avignon Better for Students?

Mainz is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Mainz or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mainz is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Mainz or Avignon a more walkable city?

Mainz and Avignon are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Mainz 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 Avignon.

One day in Mainz or Avignon?

In Mainz, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Mainz or Avignon?

In Mainz, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Mainz has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Avignon?

Mainz 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.

Avignon is a fun place to experience. Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mainz. 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.

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Avignon?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Avignon, 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 Avignon?

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 Mainz or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Avignon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mainz. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than Avignon. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Mainz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Avignon. Many visitors come to Mainz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mainz is much colder than Avignon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mainz in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Avignon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Avignon. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Avignon. Most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In the spring, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in April than Avignon. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Mainz