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

Should you visit Rouen or Volterra?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Volterra? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volterra

Volterra is a historic, charming, and medieval town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Rouen and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Volterra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Volterra. Although Rouen and Volterra are popular destinations, Volterra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Volterra is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm, while Rouen attracts visitors for its nightlife. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. It is also well known for The Roman Theater.

How is Rouen different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Volterra 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.

Volterra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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 Volterra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volterra 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, Volterra is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Rouen is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Rouen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Rouen or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Volterra is revered around the world. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

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 Volterra?

Both Rouen and Volterra are nice 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.

Volterra has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Rouen or Volterra Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Volterra.

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.

Volterra is a family-friendly city. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Rouen or Volterra Better for Couples?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Volterra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Rouen or Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Volterra. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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 Volterra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rouen is well known for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rouen. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Rouen or Volterra a more walkable city?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Volterra on foot. Most people explore the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Volterra?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Volterra 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 Volterra.

One day in Rouen or Volterra?

The beautiful city of Rouen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Volterra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Volterra?

Rouen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Rouen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Volterra is a fun place to experience. Volterra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Volterra?

Rouen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Volterra is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Rouen and Volterra, 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 Volterra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Volterra?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Volterra. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

In July, Rouen is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 17°C (63°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Volterra. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Volterra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Volterra. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Rouen is cooler than Volterra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Volterra fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Volterra. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Volterra. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Volterra in the Winter?

Both Volterra and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. In the winter, Rouen is much colder than Volterra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rouen in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Volterra averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Volterra during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Volterra. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Volterra in the Spring?

Both Volterra and Rouen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Rouen is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 9°C (48°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Volterra. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Rouen