A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rouen vs. Imperia for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Rouen or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Imperia? 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Rouen or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rouen. Although Rouen and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Rouen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rouen is more touristy than Imperia and is known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. It is also home to The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Rouen different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rouen or Imperia?

Rouen
Imperia

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Rouen and Imperia.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Imperia. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.


Is the Food Better in Rouen or Imperia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen
Imperia

Rouen is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Rouen is an experience not to be missed. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Rouen or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Rouen
Imperia

Evening events are good in both Rouen and Imperia.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Rouen or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Rouen
Imperia

Rouen is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Rouen offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Imperia?

Rouen
Imperia

Both Rouen and Imperia are good shopping destinations.

Rouen offers some nice shopping areas. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Imperia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Rouen or Imperia Better for Families?

Rouen
Imperia

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Imperia.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Imperia is a family-friendly city. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Rouen or Imperia Better for Couples?

Rouen
Imperia

Rouen is notable for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.


Is Rouen or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rouen
Imperia

Imperia is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Imperia. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Imperia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rouen
Imperia

Rouen is notable for its public transit. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Rouen can get you to most places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Imperia has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Rouen or Imperia a more walkable city?

Rouen
Imperia

Rouen is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.


For even more information, also check out Is Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Imperia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Imperia?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Rouen or Imperia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Rouen 1-2 
    Imperia 1-2

One day in Rouen or Imperia?

In Rouen, 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.

In Imperia, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Rouen or Imperia?

In Rouen, 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 Rouen has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Imperia. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or Imperia?

Rouen 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.

Imperia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Imperia. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Rouen or Imperia?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Imperia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Imperia or Rouen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rouen is €109, while the average daily cost in Imperia is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rouen and Imperia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rouen 52
    Imperia 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rouen 104
    Imperia 102
Compare Hotels in Rouen and Imperia

Looking for a hotel in Rouen or Imperia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Rouen


Hotels in Imperia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rouen Hotel Prices and Imperia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rouen 34
    Imperia 36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rouen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rouen:

  • Round-Trip Private Transfer Rouen Airport URO to Rouen by Minivan: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Rouen or Imperia?

Prices for flights to both Imperia and Rouen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rouen 35
    Imperia 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rouen 18
    Imperia 13

Tours and Activities in Rouen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:

  • Rouen audio guided tour: $13
  • Audio guided tour : Rouen retold - Joan of Arc retold: $16
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $26
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $26
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 1-hour must-sees: $27
  • Treetop adventure course in the heart of Rouen: $31
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 2-hours must-sees: $48
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $50
  • Welcome to Private Walking Tour with a Local: $51
  • Private Custom Walking Guided Tour in Rouen: $51
  • Rouen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Discover Rouen with a licenced tour guide: $59

Tours and Activities in Imperia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Imperia are as follows:

  • Imperia - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rouen 7.86
    Imperia 7.50


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


Which is Bigger, Rouen or Imperia?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Rouen or Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Imperia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Imperia. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rouen 17°C (63°F) 
    Imperia 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Rouen is generally much colder than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Imperia. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rouen 12°C (53°F) 
    Imperia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Imperia. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. Rouen is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Imperia. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rouen 4°C (39°F) 
    Imperia 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Imperia. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Rouen is much colder than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Imperia. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rouen 9°C (48°F) 
    Imperia 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Imperia and Rouen

Rouen Imperia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)


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