A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Toulon for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Toulon?

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 Toulon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Orkney Islands and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Toulon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Toulon than Orkney Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Toulon is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping, while Orkney Islands is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. Also, Toulon is famous for The Old Town.

How is Orkney Islands different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toulon 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 Toulon?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Toulon and Orkney Islands.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. 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.

Toulon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Orkney Islands makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Toulon has a few options to choose from. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Orkney Islands is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Orkney Islands is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Orkney Islands is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Toulon?

Toulon is great for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Families?

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

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.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Orkney Islands and Toulon 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.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Orkney Islands or Toulon a more walkable city?

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

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Toulon?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Toulon. 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 Orkney Islands than Toulon 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 Toulon?

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

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

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Toulon?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. 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 Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the port city of Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orkney Islands and Toulon, we can see that Orkney Islands is more expensive. And not only is Toulon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulon 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 Toulon.

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 Toulon Expensive?.

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

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Orkney Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

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

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Toulon. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands is much colder than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is much colder than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Orkney Islands