A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Murren vs. Caen for Couples, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Murren or Caen?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Caen 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.

Murren

Murren is a serene, authentic, and breathtaking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Murren and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Murren or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Caen. Although Murren and Caen are both popular with visitors, Caen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Caen is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Murren is known for its skiing, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Murren is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge.

How is Murren different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Caen Better for Skiing?

Murren is renowned for skiing and snowboarding. However, Caen is not a skiing destination.

Murren is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Caen is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Caen?

Caen is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Caen makes for a great culinary experience. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Murren has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Caen is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Hiking?

Murren is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Murren is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Caen?

Murren is not a good area for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Families?

Murren is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Murren is a very family-friendly destination. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Couples?

Murren is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Murren is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Caen is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Murren or Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

While Murren offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

Is Murren or Caen a more walkable city?

Murren is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Murren. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Murren?

How long in Murren or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Murren and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Murren than in Caen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Murren 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 Caen.

One day in Murren or Caen?

Murren is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and skiing. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Murren or Caen?

Murren is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Caen 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 Murren or Caen?

Murren is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 Murren or Caen?

Because Murren is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the important destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, 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 Murren and Caen, we can see that Murren is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren than you might in Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Murren or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Caen, 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.