A Travel Price Comparison for France Strasbourg vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Strasbourg or Caen?

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

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a charming, picturesque, and impressive city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Strasbourg and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Strasbourg than Caen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Strasbourg is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is known for its big city activities. Strasbourg is more touristy than Caen and is known for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. It is also home to The Strasbourg Cathedral. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Strasbourg different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Strasbourg or Caen.

Many visitors head to Strasbourg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Foodies will find both Strasbourg and Caen both to be high quality 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 Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

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

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Caen?

Strasbourg is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Strasbourg or Caen.

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.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for Couples?

Strasbourg is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Strasbourg makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Strasbourg and Caen are good 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Strasbourg or Caen Better for Students?

Strasbourg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Strasbourg. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Strasbourg and Caen both offer high quality 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 Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Strasbourg or Caen a more walkable city?

Strasbourg is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Strasbourg and Caen. In our opinion, Strasbourg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Strasbourg than Caen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Strasbourg than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Strasbourg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Caen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Caen?

Strasbourg is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Strasbourg or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the picturesque destination of Strasbourg. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Caen?

The picturesque city of Strasbourg offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Caen, we can see that Strasbourg 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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Caen?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Strasbourg and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Strasbourg or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Strasbourg and Caen. Many visitors come to Strasbourg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Strasbourg is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Strasbourg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during summer. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Strasbourg usually receives more rain than Caen. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Strasbourg as well as Caen. Most visitors come to Strasbourg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Caen because of the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Strasbourg is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Strasbourg in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Caen. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Strasbourg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Caen in the winter. The weather in Strasbourg can be very cold. In January, Strasbourg is generally much colder than Caen. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 2°C (35°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Caen. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Strasbourg during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Caen for the activities around the city.

Strasbourg is a little warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Strasbourg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Strasbourg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Strasbourg