A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Korcula for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Korcula. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Korcula

Korcula is a scenic, laid back, and historic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Saint-Etienne and Korcula: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Korcula than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Korcula is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife. Korcula is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its small old town and its beautiful natural setting. Also, Korcula is famous for St Mark's Cathedral. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Korcula?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Korcula.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Korcula. Most of the sights are concentrated in Korcula Town, which has a charming old town that is filled with stone houses. In the center of the old town is St Mark's Cathedral. Other points of interest include Abbey Treasury and Marco Polo's House.


Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Korcula? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Korcula has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food is a way of life on the island, and you'll likely enjoy bread, salad, soup, and grilled meat or seafood at most meals. The ingredients are locally produced and fresh.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Korcula is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Korcula doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The party scene is lacking in the old town, so this isn't the place to visit for nightlife. Many of the restaurants become cocktail bars at night, and there is a club or two that has opened in recent years.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Korcula. There are a few snorkeling tours that leave from the island.

Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Beaches?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Korcula for it's beautiful beaches. There are a number of beautiful beaches around the island. Head south for the sandier beaches and north for the pebbly, shallower beaches. Many people think that Lumbarda has the best beaches on the island.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for its Old Town?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Korcula. The charming old town is filled with interesting buildings and historic streets that you can explore.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Korcula for the hiking trails. There are many natural and hiking areas on the island so you can enjoy a full day hike or a shorter stroll through the area.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.


Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Korcula. You'll find boutiques, small retail shops, or stores selling knick knacks around town.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Korcula is very family-friendly. The island has many great hikes that are appropriate for all ages. There are also pebbly beaches where the kids can play in the water and explore.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Couples?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Korcula is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful old town, striking coastline, and wonderful natural beauty make for a great honeymoon or romantic escape. There are many nice hikes in the area and the beaches are nice for cooling off.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.


Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Korcula. You'll find enough hostels around the island to choose from and there are usually plenty of backpackers hanging out.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Students?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Korcula is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Korcula. More students have been moving to the island, and you'll find a growing student population.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Saint-Etienne and Korcula both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Korcula has a few public transit options. There are buses around the island but not all routes are very frequent.


Is Saint-Etienne or Korcula a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne
Korcula

Saint-Etienne and Korcula are notable when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

Korcula is a somewhat walkable city. There are foot paths and trails all over the island but you'll want to rent a bike if you're going long distances.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Korcula Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Korcula or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Korcula than Saint-Etienne 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 Korcula.


  • How many days in Saint-Etienne or Korcula? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint-Etienne 1-2 
    Korcula 2-3

One day in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Korcula. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Korcula. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.


Five days in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Saint-Etienne 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic destination of Korcula. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful island of Korcula. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Korcula or Saint-Etienne?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint-Etienne is €108, while the average daily cost in Korcula is €90. 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 Saint-Etienne and Korcula in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint-Etienne 46
    Korcula 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint-Etienne 92
    Korcula 116
Compare Hotels in Saint-Etienne and Korcula

Looking for a hotel in Saint-Etienne or Korcula? 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 Saint-Etienne


Hotels in Korcula


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: Korcula Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 44
    Korcula 1.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Korcula

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Korcula:

  • Private One Way Transfer from Orebić to Dubrovnik: $205
  • Island Stupe / Moro Beach Transfer: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Prices for flights to both Korcula and Saint-Etienne 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
    Saint-Etienne 34
    Korcula 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Korcula

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Korcula.

  • Private Half-Day Cooking Workshop Gastronomy in Korcula: $87
  • Korcula walking tour and dinner for Food Lovers: $228
  • Korčula: Island Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting and Dinner: $321

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 25
    Korcula 11

Tours and Activities in Korcula

Here are a few actual costs in Korcula for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Private Walking Tour in Korcula : $75
  • 3 Islands Tour - HopOnHopOff - Daily Ticket : $33
  • Bits of History - Half day kayak Tour: $66
  • City tour Korćula - private walking tour: $117
  • Croatia Korcula Island Buggy Safari Tour: $120
  • Dubrovnik Republic Tour From Korcula and Orebic: $98
  • From Dubrovnik Private tour to Korčula Island: $342
  • From Dubrovnik Old Town Private yacht cruise: $3,743
  • Half Day Original Buggy Adventure and Safari Tour in Korcula: $109
  • Half day Lago di Korcula Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour: $64
  • Jeanneau Prestige 440 Fly Private Boat Tour: $1,497
  • Korcula Island Mountain E Bike Tour: $186

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint-Etienne 10
    Korcula 9.69

Sample the Local Flavors in Korcula

Also in Korcula, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting at Black Island Winery: $31
  • Slurp of Grk Wine Tour: $92
  • Day Tour from Dubrovnik - Korčula and Pelješac Wine Tasting: $92
  • Wine Tour Korcula: $98
  • Half-Day Bike Tour in Lumbarda with Wine Tasting: $105
  • Korcula Buggy Safari With Wine Tasting: $107
  • Korcula Bike & Wine Tour: $111
  • Private Korcula wine tour and tasting : $131
  • Wine tour Korčula - private tour: $146
  • Enchanted Forest Hike and Wine Tasting Private Tour: $158
  • Korcula Island Sightseeing Tour Including Wine Tasting: $229


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

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


Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Korcula. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Korcula, 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 Saint-Etienne or Korcula?

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 Saint-Etienne or Korcula in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Korcula. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Korcula because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is cooler than Korcula in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Korcula fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Korcula. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 345 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F) 
    Korcula 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Korcula in the Autumn?

Both Korcula and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Korcula this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Korcula. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Korcula averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Korcula. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F) 
    Korcula 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Korcula in the Winter?

Both Korcula and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Korcula for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally much colder than Korcula. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Korcula fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 128 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F) 
    Korcula 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Korcula in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Korcula. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Korcula in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is cooler than Korcula in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Korcula fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Korcula this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Korcula. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F) 
    Korcula 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Korcula and Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne Korcula
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)