A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or Arles?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Arles?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Arles. Manchester is bigger than Arles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Arles is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Manchester different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Arles?

Arles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Arles offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

Manchester is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Arles?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Families?

Manchester is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Arles are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Students?

Manchester is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Manchester or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Manchester or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Arles?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Arles 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 Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city 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.

With museums and nightlife around the quaint town of Arles, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arles, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arles, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Manchester or Arles?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Arles?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Arles?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Arles, 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 Manchester or Arles?

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 Manchester or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Arles. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Arles. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Manchester usually receives less rain than Arles. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In the winter, Manchester is much colder than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Arles. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Arles. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Arles. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Arles. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Manchester