A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Outer Hebrides vs. Caen for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Caen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Caen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a stunning, spectacular, and natural archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Outer Hebrides and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Caen. Although Outer Hebrides and Caen are both popular with visitors, Caen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Caen is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Outer Hebrides is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Caen is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge. Outer Hebrides is popular for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Caen is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Caen can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. 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 Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Caen is a good destination for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Outer Hebrides for it's beautiful beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Outer Hebrides is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Caen are good family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

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 Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Couples?

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

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

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 Outer Hebrides or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides and Caen are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

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

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

Caen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Caen a more walkable city?

Caen is a good destination for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Caen. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

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

One day in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Outer Hebrides. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 nightlife and food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Outer Hebrides is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Caen 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 Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular destination of Outer Hebrides. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A week in Outer Hebrides or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular archipelago of Outer Hebrides. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the city of Caen. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Caen during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Outer Hebrides during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides is cooler than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Outer Hebrides in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 83 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 Outer Hebrides. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Caen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Caen. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 4°C (40°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

Outer Hebrides gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Caen. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Outer Hebrides