A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Piazza Armerina vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Piazza Armerina or Arles?

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 Piazza Armerina and Arles. 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.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a charming, authentic, and historic town. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Piazza Armerina and Arles: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arles. Although Piazza Armerina and Arles are both popular with visitors, Arles has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Piazza Armerina is popular for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also home to L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Piazza Armerina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.


Is the Food Better in Piazza Armerina or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Piazza Armerina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Piazza Armerina or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Piazza Armerina or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Piazza Armerina. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.


Is the Shopping Better in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Arles offers some nice shopping areas. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Arles Better for Families?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Most people don't think of either Piazza Armerina or Arles as a family destination.

Piazza Armerina is not the most family-friendly destination. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Arles is not always a place people visit with their families. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Piazza Armerina or Arles Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Arles is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Piazza Armerina is a good town for couples to visit. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.


Is Piazza Armerina or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Both Piazza Armerina and Arles offer good public transit options.

Piazza Armerina has a few public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Arles has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Piazza Armerina or Arles a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina
Arles

Piazza Armerina and Arles both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable town. You can explore most of the old and new towns on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Piazza Armerina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Piazza Armerina 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 Arles.


  • How many days in Piazza Armerina or Arles? Ideal Length of Stay
    Piazza Armerina 1-2 
    Arles 1-2

One day in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

In Piazza Armerina, many people enjoy the food and museums that this authentic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The historic destination of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.


A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Piazza Armerina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The town of Arles offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Piazza Armerina is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Piazza Armerina. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Arles?

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Piazza Armerina. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Arles or Piazza Armerina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Piazza Armerina is €93, while the average daily cost in Arles is €142. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Piazza Armerina and Arles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piazza Armerina 56
    Arles 71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piazza Armerina 112
    Arles 142
Compare Hotels in Piazza Armerina and Arles

Looking for a hotel in Piazza Armerina or Arles? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Piazza Armerina


Hotels in Arles


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Piazza Armerina Hotel Prices and Arles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Arles 23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Piazza Armerina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Piazza Armerina:

  • From Catania: Return Transfer to Piazza Armerina & Agrigento: $106

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:

  • Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Prices for flights to both Arles and Piazza Armerina change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Piazza Armerina 33
    Arles 52

Typical Food Prices in Arles

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:


  • Cooked Clams
    4.50
  • Ice Cream
    1.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Arles 31

Tours and Activities in Piazza Armerina

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Piazza Armerina are as follows:

  • Villa Romana del Casale Guided Tour: $42
  • From Catania: Agrigento-Piazza Armerina Audio-guided Tour: $128
  • Private Tour of Villa Romana del Casale & Valley of Temples: $225
  • Roman Villa del Casale Mosaics Tour: $241

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arles

Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Castle Entrance Fee
    5.50

Tours and Activities in Arles

Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket: $7.64
  • City tour 45mn of the city, its history, its monuments,: $70
  • City tour 1 hour of the city, its history, its monuments,: $84
  • From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour: $106
  • Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $187
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $201
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour of Arles: $202
  • Private Guided Tour of Arles: $218
  • Art and History Walking Tour: $299
  • Arles Private guided walking tour from Marseille: $342
  • Arles, Saint-Rémy & Les Baux De Provence: Guided Tour: $1,176

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piazza Armerina 13
    Arles 24

Sample the Local Flavors in Arles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:

  • Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles: $6.20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina and Arles, 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 Piazza Armerina or Arles?

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 Piazza Armerina or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Arles. Many travelers come to Piazza Armerina for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Piazza Armerina in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Piazza Armerina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piazza Armerina usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Piazza Armerina 26°C (79°F) 
    Arles 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Arles. Additionally, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Piazza Armerina is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 19°C (67°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Piazza Armerina 19°C (67°F) 
    Arles 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Piazza Armerina for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Piazza Armerina is much warmer than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during winter. Piazza Armerina gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Piazza Armerina 10°C (51°F) 
    Arles 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Piazza Armerina during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the spring, Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Piazza Armerina in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. In the spring, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Piazza Armerina 15°C (58°F) 
    Arles 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Arles and Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina Arles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 14 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 24°C (74°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)