A Travel Price Comparison for France Strasbourg vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Strasbourg or Arles?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Strasbourg and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a impressive, quaint, and historic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Strasbourg and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Arles?

You'll generally find more things to do in Strasbourg than Arles. Strasbourg is bigger than Arles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Strasbourg is better known for its shopping, while Arles is more popular for its museums. Strasbourg is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. Also, Strasbourg is famous for The Strasbourg Cathedral. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Strasbourg different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Strasbourg or Arles?

Arles is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Strasbourg can be an interesting and educational experience. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

Is the Food Better in Strasbourg or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Strasbourg and Arles both to be very good destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Strasbourg. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Strasbourg and Arles.

If you're looking for night time activities Strasbourg has a few options to choose from. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg and Arles are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

The historic old town of Strasbourg is revered around the world. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Arles?

Strasbourg is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Strasbourg. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Families?

Strasbourg is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Strasbourg. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Strasbourg and Arles are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Strasbourg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Strasbourg is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Strasbourg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Students?

Strasbourg is very good for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Strasbourg is popular with students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Strasbourg or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Strasbourg is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Strasbourg. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Strasbourg or Arles a more walkable city?

Strasbourg and Arles are very good when it comes to walkability.

Strasbourg is very walkable. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

Arles is a very walkable city. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Strasbourg Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Strasbourg or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Strasbourg than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Strasbourg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Strasbourg than Arles 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 Strasbourg.

One day in Strasbourg or Arles?

In Strasbourg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint 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.

With museums and nightlife around the charming town of Arles, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arles, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Arles?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arles, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Strasbourg or Arles?

Strasbourg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Strasbourg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Strasbourg or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Strasbourg. 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.

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Strasbourg and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Strasbourg Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Arles?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Strasbourg and Arles, 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 Strasbourg or Arles?

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 Strasbourg or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Strasbourg as well as Arles. The summer months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In July, Strasbourg is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 20°C (68°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Strasbourg this time of the year. In the summer, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Arles. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Strasbourg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Arles. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Strasbourg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Strasbourg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Strasbourg. In the winter, Strasbourg is much colder than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Strasbourg in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Arles. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Strasbourg and Arles. Many visitors come to Strasbourg in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Strasbourg is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 11°C (51°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Arles. Strasbourg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Strasbourg