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

Should you visit Rouen or Naples?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Naples? 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 impressive, relaxing, and historical city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a gritty, colorful, and fascinating city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Naples is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen is known for its impressive beauty. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also home to Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Rouen different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Naples offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. 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.

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

Naples is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Naples is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Rouen or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Naples is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Naples has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Rouen or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Naples?

Naples is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Naples is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Rouen or Naples Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Naples.

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.

Naples is a family-friendly city. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Rouen or Naples Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Naples make for a very good place to visit.

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.

Naples makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Rouen or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Naples is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

Naples is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Naples is a good city to visit for students. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Both Rouen and Naples offer very good public transit options.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. 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.

The public transit in Naples can get you to most places easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Rouen or Naples a more walkable city?

Rouen and Naples both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Naples?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Rouen 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 Naples.

One day in Rouen or Naples?

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

Each neighborhood in Naples has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This city 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 Naples?

Rouen 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Naples. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. 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.

Naples is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Naples. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Rouen or Naples?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful big city of Naples. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rouen and Naples, we can see that Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Naples. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Naples in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Naples during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Naples. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Naples. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Naples. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Naples because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is much colder than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Naples during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Naples. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Rouen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Naples. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Naples. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and Rouen