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

Should you visit Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux can help you decide which place is right for you.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a picturesque, impressive, and quaint city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Strasbourg and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bordeaux. Although Strasbourg and Bordeaux are roughly the same size, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Strasbourg attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Bordeaux is more touristy than Strasbourg and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also well known for Cathédrale Saint-André. Strasbourg is famous for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses.

How is Strasbourg different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Strasbourg is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Strasbourg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Bordeaux is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bordeaux has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Bordeaux. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

If you're looking to go shopping, Strasbourg and Bordeaux both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Bordeaux is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Strasbourg or Bordeaux.

Strasbourg offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bordeaux is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Both Strasbourg and Bordeaux are great 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.

Bordeaux is a very popular place to visit for couples. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Strasbourg and Bordeaux are nice places to visit.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Bordeaux is very popular with students. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Strasbourg is a good city to visit for students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

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

Strasbourg and Bordeaux both offer great public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Strasbourg. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Strasbourg and Bordeaux are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

In either Strasbourg or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Strasbourg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Strasbourg, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

Families should spend more time in Strasbourg than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. 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.

One day in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

The beautiful city of Strasbourg offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

Strasbourg 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.

Bordeaux, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

Strasbourg 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.

Bordeaux is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Strasbourg and Bordeaux, we can see that Strasbourg is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Strasbourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Strasbourg than you might in Bordeaux.

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

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Strasbourg. When comparing the sizes of Strasbourg and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Strasbourg as well as Bordeaux. Most visitors come to Strasbourg for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Strasbourg is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Strasbourg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Strasbourg this time of the year. In the summer, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets more rain in July than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Strasbourg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In October, Strasbourg is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 12°C (53°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Bordeaux in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Strasbourg in the winter. Strasbourg is much colder than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Strasbourg usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Strasbourg and Bordeaux. Many travelers come to Strasbourg for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Strasbourg is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the spring temperatures in Strasbourg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Strasbourg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Strasbourg