A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a breathtaking, inspiring, and iconic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Orkney Islands and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Orkney Islands have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Orkney Islands is more popular for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Orkney Islands. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Mont-Saint-Michel is mediocre for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Orkney Islands is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Orkney Islands. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for couples. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Mont-Saint-Michel has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands and Mont-Saint-Michel both offer good 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Orkney Islands than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and museums around the destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and food around the tranquil archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and museums around the remote destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Orkney Islands is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In July, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 12°C (54°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. In the winter, Orkney Islands is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orkney Islands in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Orkney Islands is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 6°C (43°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Orkney Islands