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

Should you visit Salzburg or Lille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Lille, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lille

Lille is a fascinating, cultural, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Salzburg and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Lille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Lille. While Lille is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its museums, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille is known for its food and nightlife. Salzburg is more touristy than Lille and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salzburg or Lille?

Salzburg is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Salzburg or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Music?

Salzburg is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Salzburg has a world-famous historical area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Lille?

Both Salzburg and Lille are amazing shopping destinations.

Salzburg is a world class destination for shoppers. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Families?

Salzburg is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Couples?

Salzburg is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salzburg is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Students?

Salzburg is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Is Salzburg or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Salzburg and Lille offer superb public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Lille can move around easily with public transportation. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Salzburg or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

For even more information, also check out Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Lille. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Lille 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Lille?

In Salzburg, many people enjoy the live music and food that this musical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful city of Lille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Lille?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. In Salzburg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Lille 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.

A week in Salzburg or Lille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Lille, 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 Salzburg or Lille?

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 Salzburg or Lille in the Summer?

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

In July, Salzburg is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 20°C (68°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. Salzburg usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Lille. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Lille in the Autumn?

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

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Lille. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. In the winter, Salzburg is much colder than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salzburg in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Salzburg is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (51°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Salzburg