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

Should you visit Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz? 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Vitoria-Gasteiz, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In the summer, Rouen often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in July than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Rouen is cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vitoria-Gasteiz during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In October, Rouen usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rouen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rouen is much colder than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rouen in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun.

Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rouen usually gets less rain in January than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

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

Rouen usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rouen usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rouen