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

Should you visit Salzburg or Montpellier?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Montpellier, 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 beautiful, musical, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include live music, food, and shopping.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Salzburg and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Montpellier?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Montpellier. While Montpellier is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its food, music, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its beaches. Salzburg is more touristy than Montpellier and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Montpellier.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Salzburg is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Montpellier are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Montpellier. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Music?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Montpellier is not a live music destination.

In Salzburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Montpellier is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a well-known place for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Montpellier both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

The old town of Montpellier is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Montpellier?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Families?

Salzburg is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Montpellier are great destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier Better for Students?

Salzburg and Montpellier are both world-class destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Montpellier is a very popular city for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

Both Salzburg and Montpellier offer great 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 Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Salzburg or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Montpellier both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Montpellier?

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

Families should spend more time in Salzburg than Montpellier. 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 Montpellier. 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 Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The beautiful city of Montpellier offers food and shopping. 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the recognizable destination of Salzburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Montpellier 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Montpellier, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the recognizable city of Salzburg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Salzburg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Montpellier 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Montpellier, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Montpellier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montpellier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montpellier 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 Montpellier.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Montpellier. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is cooler than Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Montpellier. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Montpellier in the Winter?

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

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Salzburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montpellier. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Salzburg