A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Montpellier for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Southampton or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Montpellier? 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Southampton and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Montpellier?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montpellier. Although Southampton and Montpellier are roughly the same size, Montpellier has more sights and attractions for tourists. Montpellier is more touristy than Southampton and is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also home to The Place de la Comédie. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Montpellier?

Montpellier is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Montpellier can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Montpellier area. 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 Southampton or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Southampton and Montpellier.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Southampton or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a great city for the beache. However, Southampton is not a beach destination.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Southampton is not a beach destination.

Is Southampton or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Montpellier offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Montpellier?

Montpellier is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Montpellier is well-known for its shopping. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Montpellier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Montpellier.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Montpellier is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Southampton or Montpellier Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Montpellier make for a superb place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Southampton or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Montpellier is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Montpellier is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Southampton and Montpellier. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Montpellier than Southampton. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Southampton 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 Montpellier.

One day in Southampton or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic port city of Southampton. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Montpellier. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the waterfront destination of Southampton. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the bustling destination of Montpellier. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Montpellier?

The waterfront port city of Southampton offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

The bustling city of Montpellier offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Southampton. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Montpellier. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Southampton and Montpellier, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton or Montpellier?

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 Southampton or Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Montpellier. Most visitors come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Southampton is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In the summer, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Montpellier in the Autumn?

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

In October, Southampton is generally cooler than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Southampton usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Southampton or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Southampton during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Southampton in the winter. Southampton is cooler than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Montpellier. Many travelers come to Southampton for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Southampton is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Southampton usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Southampton