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

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

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 Orkney Islands and Carcassonne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a tranquil, natural, and pristine archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Orkney Islands and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Orkney Islands than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Orkney Islands is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. Also, Orkney Islands is famous for The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

How is Orkney Islands different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Carcassonne.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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.

Is Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Orkney Islands for it's beautiful beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Carcassonne has an old town worth visiting. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Orkney Islands. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Carcassonne.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Orkney Islands makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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 Orkney Islands or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Carcassonne are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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

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

Orkney Islands and Carcassonne both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Carcassonne has a few public transit options. 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 Orkney Islands or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Orkney Islands than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

Families should spend more time in Carcassonne than Orkney Islands. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene archipelago of Orkney Islands. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Carcassonne, you'll find museums and food. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the serene destination of Orkney Islands. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene archipelago of Orkney Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the town of Carcassonne. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Orkney Islands and Carcassonne, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Carcassonne?

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 Orkney Islands or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Carcassonne. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

The weather in Orkney Islands can be very cold. Orkney Islands is much colder than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Orkney Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Carcassonne. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Orkney Islands