A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland, Maine vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Portland, Maine attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Portland, Maine different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Portland, Maine. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea are excellent choices.

Portland, Maine is considered a top beach destination. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is a moderate coastal town for its Christmas activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Many enjoy the Christmas activities while in Portland, Maine. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Portland, Maine is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Carmel-by-the-Sea frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Portland, Maine. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Portland, Maine 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and shopping around the seaside coastal town of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Portland, Maine is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland, Maine in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Portland, Maine can be very cold. In January, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 21°F (-6°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Portland, Maine during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Portland, Maine is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Portland, Maine