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

Should you visit Nafplio or Caen?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Caen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a romantic, beautiful, and picturesque city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nafplio and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Caen?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nafplio than Caen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nafplio is better known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is more popular for its big city activities. Nafplio is more touristy than Caen and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Also, Nafplio is famous for Palamidi Castle. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Nafplio different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Caen and Nafplio.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Many visitors head to Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Both Nafplio and Caen offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Nafplio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

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.

Is Nafplio or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Nafplio has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

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.

Is Nafplio or Caen Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Nafplio offers a nice beach destination. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Caen?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Nafplio. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nafplio or Caen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Caen.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

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 Nafplio or Caen Better for Couples?

Nafplio is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Nafplio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

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 Nafplio or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Caen are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Caen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Caen offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Nafplio, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

Is Nafplio or Caen a more walkable city?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nafplio and Caen. In our opinion, Nafplio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nafplio than Caen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Nafplio or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nafplio. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Nafplio or Caen?

Nafplio is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

In Caen, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Caen has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Nafplio. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Nafplio or Caen?

The romantic city of Nafplio offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Caen. 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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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.

When is the best time to visit Nafplio or Caen?

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 Nafplio or Caen in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Nafplio is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nafplio in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Caen. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Caen in the Autumn?

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

In October, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 19°C (66°F), and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Caen. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Caen in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. Nafplio is much warmer than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Caen. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Caen. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nafplio is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nafplio in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the spring, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Caen. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Nafplio