A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Potsdam vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Potsdam or Caen?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Caen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a accessible, compact, and park-filled city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, 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.

Potsdam and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Caen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Caen than Potsdam. While Potsdam is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Caen is very popular for its big city activities, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. 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 Potsdam different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Potsdam or Caen?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Potsdam and Caen.

Many visitors head to Potsdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Potsdam or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Potsdam and Caen offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Potsdam. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Caen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Potsdam or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Potsdam and Caen.

Potsdam has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Caen?

Potsdam is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Potsdam. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Potsdam or Caen Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Caen.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Potsdam. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Caen offers lots of family activities. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Potsdam or Caen Better for Couples?

Both Potsdam and Caen are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Potsdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Caen is a good city 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 Potsdam or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Caen are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Potsdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Potsdam and Caen.

Potsdam has some very good public transit options. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

The public transit in Caen can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Potsdam or Caen a more walkable city?

Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is very walkable. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Caen?

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

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

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

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

One day in Potsdam or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Potsdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Potsdam or Caen?

Potsdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

In Caen, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Caen has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Potsdam. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Potsdam or Caen?

The compact city of Potsdam offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Caen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Potsdam Expensive? and Is Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Caen?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Caen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Caen. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Caen. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Potsdam this time of the year. In the summer, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Caen because of the city's sights and attractions.

Potsdam is cooler than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Caen. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Potsdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Caen in the winter. The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. In the winter, Potsdam is much colder than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Potsdam in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Caen. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in January than Caen. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Caen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Caen. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the activities around the city.

In April, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Caen. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during spring. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Caen. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Potsdam