A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa Blanca vs. Carcassonne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Playa Blanca or Carcassonne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Playa Blanca and Carcassonne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Playa Blanca or Carcassonne?

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Playa Blanca or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca or Carcassonne?

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 Playa Blanca or Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Playa Blanca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa Blanca is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 23°C (73°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne during summer. Playa Blanca gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Playa Blanca during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Playa Blanca is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. In the autumn, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa Blanca and Carcassonne. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Playa Blanca is much warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa Blanca in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Playa Blanca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa Blanca as well as Carcassonne. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Playa Blanca is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 19°C (66°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In the spring, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Playa Blanca