A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto de la Cruz vs. Carcassonne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Puerto de la Cruz and Carcassonne. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Puerto de la Cruz and Carcassonne, we can see that Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne?

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 Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Puerto de la Cruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Carcassonne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 21°C (70°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Carcassonne. Additionally, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Puerto de la Cruz