A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Couples, Food, Beaches, and Attractions

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its resorts and hiking, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Martha's Vineyard. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Most people don't head to Carmel-by-the-Sea specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Martha's Vineyard is a world class resort vacation destination. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer very good beaches.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Martha's Vineyard. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for couples. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Martha's Vineyard has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Martha's Vineyard that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Martha's Vineyard 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

With food and shopping around the small town destination of Carmel-by-the-Sea, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

With shopping and museums around the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the charming small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Martha's Vineyard during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Martha's Vineyard in the winter. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Martha's Vineyard