A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rouen vs. Hondarribia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rouen or Hondarribia?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Hondarribia? 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.

Where Should I go: Rouen or Hondarribia?

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

Hondarribia

The characteristic Spanish buildings painted in the brightest, most vibrant of colors only match the true spirit of the town, Hondarribia, Spain. Hondarribia is located on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth in Gipuzkoa of Basque Country. The town is rich in its Spanish history, holding both an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle within. Hondarribia is also known for its gorgeous beach of bright blue water across the Bidasoa alongside the fertile, roaming mountain of Jaizkibel. What's more, Hondarribia faces the border of Hendaye, France, so if you are yearning to expand your cultural learning, take a service boat over to Spain's friendly neighbor! No matter if you want to explore the ancient architecture or enjoy the cooling waters of the bay, Hondarribia is definitely a location known for its beauty and activity!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Hondarribia?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hondarribia. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Hondarribia, 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 Rouen or Hondarribia?

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 Rouen or Hondarribia in the Summer?

Both Hondarribia and Rouen during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Rouen is generally cooler than Hondarribia. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 17°C (63°F), and Hondarribia fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Hondarribia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rouen. In the summer, Rouen often gets more sunshine than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 209 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in July than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Hondarribia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Hondarribia. The autumn months attract visitors to Rouen because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Rouen is cooler than Hondarribia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Hondarribia fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Hondarribia during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hondarribia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rouen usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Hondarribia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Hondarribia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Rouen in the winter. In the winter, Rouen is much colder than Hondarribia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rouen in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Hondarribia averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hondarribia receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hondarribia. Rouen usually gets less rain in January than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Hondarribia in the Spring?

Both Hondarribia and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the natural beauty.

In April, Rouen is generally cooler than Hondarribia. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 9°C (48°F), and Hondarribia fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Rouen usually receives more sunshine than Hondarribia during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Hondarribia receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hondarribia. In April, Rouen usually receives less rain than Hondarribia. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hondarribia receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hondarribia and Rouen