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

Should you visit Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne. 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

Both Carcassonne and Piazza Armerina have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Piazza Armerina is very popular for its nightlife and historical sights, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Piazza Armerina and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Piazza Armerina is famous for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

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

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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.


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

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Piazza Armerina is not a good area for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Piazza Armerina is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.


Is Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

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

Carcassonne is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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 Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is a good town for couples to visit. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

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

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is notable for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Both Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne offer nice 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.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

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

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

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


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

One day in Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic town of Piazza Armerina. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The historical destination of Carcassonne offers food and museums. 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the authentic destination of Piazza Armerina. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. 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 Carcassonne?

The historic town of Piazza Armerina offers food and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Piazza Armerina. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carcassonne. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne is €106. 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 Carcassonne in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne? 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 Carcassonne


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 Carcassonne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Carcassonne 7.14

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

Prices for flights to both Carcassonne 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
    Carcassonne 39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piazza Armerina 4.29
    Carcassonne 14

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 Carcassonne

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

  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Languedoc: Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Baronarques: $21
  • Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders: $22
  • Unusual Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Carcassonne: $22
  • Small group tour of the Cité de Carcassonne: $49
  • Complete Private Tour City and Castle of Carcassonne: $109
  • Cité de Private Guided Tour: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piazza Armerina 13
    Carcassonne 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $471


When comparing the travel costs between Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne, we can see that Carcassonne 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 Piazza Armerina Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne 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 small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In July, Piazza Armerina is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 26°C (79°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in July than Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Carcassonne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Piazza Armerina 19°C (67°F) 
    Carcassonne 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piazza Armerina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Piazza Armerina 10°C (51°F) 
    Carcassonne 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Piazza Armerina is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 15°C (58°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piazza Armerina. Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Piazza Armerina 15°C (58°F) 
    Carcassonne 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina Carcassonne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 14 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 24°C (74°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)