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

Should you visit Potsdam or Calais?

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 Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a compact, park-filled, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Potsdam. While Potsdam is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Potsdam is known for its museums, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is more touristy than Calais and is known for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Potsdam different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Potsdam is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Potsdam or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Potsdam is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Potsdam is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Potsdam or Calais Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Potsdam or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beache. However, Potsdam is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Potsdam is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais and Potsdam.

Potsdam offers some nice shopping areas. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Potsdam or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Calais.

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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Potsdam or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Potsdam and Calais are good 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.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Potsdam or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

Potsdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Potsdam or Calais a more walkable city?

Potsdam is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Potsdam than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Potsdam. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Potsdam or Calais?

Potsdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Potsdam. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Potsdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Calais?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Potsdam or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Potsdam. Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Potsdam usually receives more rain than Calais. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Potsdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In October, Potsdam is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Calais. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Calais. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. Potsdam is much colder than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Potsdam or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Calais. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Potsdam