A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nottingham vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nottingham or Carcassonne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nottingham and Carcassonne 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.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a livable, cultural, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food and museums.

Nottingham and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nottingham. Although Nottingham and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Nottingham has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nottingham is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Carcassonne is known for its museums, food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Nottingham and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Nottingham is popular for its authenticity and local cuisine. It is also home to Old Market Square.

How is Nottingham different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Nottingham offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

Is the Food Better in Nottingham or Carcassonne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carcassonne makes for a great culinary experience. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Nottingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Nottingham is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Nottingham. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Music?

Nottingham is a good destination for live music. However, Carcassonne is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Nottingham. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Carcassonne is not a live music destination.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Carcassonne to see the historical old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Nottingham is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nottingham. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Both Nottingham and Carcassonne are good to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nottingham. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Carcassonne offers lots of family activities. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Both Nottingham and Carcassonne are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nottingham is a nice destination for couples. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is well known for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nottingham is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Nottingham is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Nottingham or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is very popular for its walkability. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Nottingham is a very walkable city. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Nottingham Worth Visiting? and Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nottingham or Carcassonne to fill your time. In our opinion, Carcassonne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carcassonne than Nottingham. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Nottingham 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 Carcassonne.

One day in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Nottingham. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and food around the fairytale town of Carcassonne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carcassonne, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the livable destination of Nottingham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and museums around the destination of Carcassonne, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

The dynamic city of Nottingham offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Nottingham. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Carcassonne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Carcassonne?

Nottingham has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham and Carcassonne, 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 Nottingham or Carcassonne?

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 Nottingham or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Carcassonne. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nottingham this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Nottingham is cooler than Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Carcassonne. In the summer, Nottingham often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nottingham is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nottingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Nottingham gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nottingham or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Nottingham during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Nottingham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nottingham is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 4°C (39°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Nottingham often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Nottingham for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Nottingham is much colder than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Nottingham gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Nottingham