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

Should you visit Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a authentic, historic, and charming town. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Piazza Armerina and Caen: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • 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
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Caen. Although Piazza Armerina and Caen are popular destinations, Caen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Caen is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Piazza Armerina attracts visitors for its historical sights. Piazza Armerina is famous for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also well known for Pegasus Bridge.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Piazza Armerina and Caen.

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

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.


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

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Caen 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 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.

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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Caen 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 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.

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 Caen Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Piazza Armerina is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.


Is Piazza Armerina or Caen Better for Families?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Caen is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. 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.

Is Piazza Armerina or Caen Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Piazza Armerina and Caen both nice destinations for a couple.

Piazza Armerina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Caen is a good town for couples to visit. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Piazza Armerina or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Caen is a good destination for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.


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

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Caen is notable for its public transit. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Caen has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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

Is Piazza Armerina or Caen a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina
Caen

Piazza Armerina is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Piazza Armerina and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Caen than in Piazza Armerina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Piazza Armerina, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen 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 Caen.


  • How many days in Piazza Armerina or Caen? Ideal Length of Stay
    Piazza Armerina 1-2 
    Caen 2-3

One day in Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Piazza Armerina. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The important destination of Caen offers food and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.


A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Piazza Armerina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Caen offers museums and nightlife. 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Piazza Armerina. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Caen?

The authentic town of Piazza Armerina offers food and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many people enjoy the food and museums when visiting Caen. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Caen 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 Caen is €123. 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 Caen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piazza Armerina 56
    Caen 61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piazza Armerina 112
    Caen 122
Compare Hotels in Piazza Armerina and Caen

Looking for a hotel in Piazza Armerina or Caen? 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 Caen


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 Caen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Caen 35

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 Caen

Also for Caen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) to Caen - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Caen to Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer Round-Trip from Caen Airport (CFR) to Caen: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Prices for flights to both Caen 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
    Caen 40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Caen 19

Tours and Activities in Piazza Armerina

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

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

Tours and Activities in Caen

For Caen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Memorial Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour: $51
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $59
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Caen: $60
  • Private Guided Bike Tour of Cabourg and Dives in French: $74
  • Guided Tour in an Old Convertible Car on the Côte de Nacre: $93
  • Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket: $127
  • Mémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites: $133
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $160
  • Guided Tour of the Landing Sites and the Memorial of Caen: $191
  • Small Group Guided D-Day Tour and Mémorial de Caen Museum: $201
  • D-Day private tour Juno Beach departing Caen with audio guide. 2Pers. minimum: $268

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piazza Armerina 13
    Caen 17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piazza Armerina and Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Piazza Armerina or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Piazza Armerina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Piazza Armerina because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In July, Piazza Armerina is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 26°C (79°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. In the summer, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in July than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Piazza Armerina 26°C (79°F) 
    Caen 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Caen. Furthermore, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

Piazza Armerina is much warmer than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Caen during autumn. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Piazza Armerina usually receives more rain than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Piazza Armerina 19°C (67°F) 
    Caen 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Caen. Many travelers come to Piazza Armerina for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Piazza Armerina is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piazza Armerina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in January than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Piazza Armerina 10°C (51°F) 
    Caen 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Piazza Armerina is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 15°C (58°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piazza Armerina. Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Caen during spring. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Caen. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Piazza Armerina 15°C (58°F) 
    Caen 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Caen and Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina Caen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 14 mm (0.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 24°C (74°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)


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