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

Should you visit Munich or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Arles, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Munich and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Arles and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Munich different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Both Munich and Arles offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Munich or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Munich is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich or Arles Better for Music?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In Munich you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Arles?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Munich is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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

Is Munich or Arles Better for Families?

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

Munich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich or Arles Better for Couples?

Munich and Arles are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Arles is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Munich or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich or Arles Better for Students?

Munich is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Munich is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Munich can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich or Arles a more walkable city?

Munich and Arles both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Munich?

How long in Munich or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Munich or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Munich than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Munich or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Munich 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Munich or Arles?

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

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or Arles?

Munich is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Munich or Arles?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Arles. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Munich and Arles, we can see that Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Arles?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich or Arles?

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 Munich or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

Munich is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Arles. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Munich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the autumn, Munich is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Munich often gets less sunshine than Arles. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Munich usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Arles. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. In January, Munich is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Arles. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Munich as well as Arles. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

Munich is cooler than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Munich often gets less sunshine than Arles. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Munich