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

Should you visit Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Potsdam than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Potsdam, Potsdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Potsdam is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Potsdam is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Also, Potsdam is famous for The Sanssouci Palace. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Potsdam different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Potsdam is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Potsdam. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Potsdam or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Potsdam is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Potsdam has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Potsdam is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Potsdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

Potsdam is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Potsdam. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Potsdam is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Potsdam is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Potsdam can get you to some places easily. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Potsdam or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Potsdam is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Potsdam Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

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

Families should spend more time in Potsdam than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Potsdam. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Potsdam. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the park-filled destination of Potsdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Potsdam. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Potsdam 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Potsdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Potsdam is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Potsdam. In the summer, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Potsdam is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Potsdam in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Saint-Etienne. The winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. In January, Potsdam is generally much colder than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around -0°C (31°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

Potsdam is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during spring. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Potsdam