A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Monaco vs. Avignon for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Monaco or Avignon?

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 Monaco and Avignon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Monaco

Monaco is a glitzy, glamorous, and captivating coastal resort area. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Avignon

Avignon is a scenic, picturesque, and historical town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Monaco and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monaco or Avignon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monaco. Although Monaco and Avignon are both popular with visitors, Monaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monaco is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Monaco is more touristy than Avignon and is popular for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. It is also home to Monte Carlo. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Monaco different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Monaco or Avignon?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Monaco is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Avignon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Monaco has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Monaco is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Monaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Resorts?

Monaco is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Avignon is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Monaco for its luxury resorts. As the playground for the rich and famous, this city has its share of luxury resorts. Famous hotels include the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Avignon is not a resort destination.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monaco is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Monaco. There are both beaches that offer walk-in snorkeling spots as well as boat tours that you can book that will take you to some of the best snorkeling and dive sights around Monaco.

Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Beaches?

Monaco is a good destination for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Monaco offers a nice beach destination. Located along the French Riviera, the beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand. The only public beach is Plage du Larvotto in Monte Carlo and there are a number of activities available including jet skis and wind-surfing. This is also a very family-friendly beach that kids of all ages can enjoy.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Avignon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Monaco or Avignon?

Monaco is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Monaco specifically to go shopping. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Families?

Avignon is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Monaco is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

For families, Monaco is not always the best place to visit. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Monaco or Avignon Better for Couples?

Monaco is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Monaco is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

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 Monaco or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is very good for backpackers. However, Monaco is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Avignon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Monaco is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Known for it's luxury accommodation and posh visitors, this coastal area isn't known for its backpacker friendly atmosphere. Most budget travelers skip the glitz and glam of this microstate in order to save a few bucks.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Monaco and Avignon.

You'll find some public transit in Monaco, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system.

While Avignon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Monaco or Avignon a more walkable city?

Monaco and Avignon both are first-rate when exploring on foot.

Getting around Monaco on foot is easy. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

Avignon is a very easy coastal resort area to get around on foot. 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 Monaco Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Monaco?

How long in Monaco or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Monaco or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Monaco than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Monaco, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Monaco 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 Monaco or Avignon?

Because Monaco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal resort area offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Monaco or Avignon?

Because Monaco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Monaco has to offer.

Avignon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Monaco or Avignon?

Monaco is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Monaco or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monaco. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Monaco. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 Monaco and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Monaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Monaco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monaco 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 Monaco.

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

Which is Bigger, Monaco or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Monaco 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.