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

Should you visit Strasbourg or Calais?

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

Strasbourg

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

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Strasbourg and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Strasbourg. While Strasbourg is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Strasbourg is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Strasbourg is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Strasbourg different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Strasbourg is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Strasbourg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for its beaches. However, Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Strasbourg can be explored in its historical center. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Calais?

Strasbourg is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Strasbourg or Calais.

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.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Couples?

Strasbourg is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Strasbourg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Strasbourg is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Strasbourg. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Strasbourg or Calais Better for Students?

Strasbourg is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Strasbourg is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais 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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Strasbourg or Calais a more walkable city?

Strasbourg is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Strasbourg and Calais. In our opinion, Strasbourg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Strasbourg than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Strasbourg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Strasbourg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the undiscovered city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Calais?

Strasbourg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Calais, 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Strasbourg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais, 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Strasbourg. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Calais 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 Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Calais?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Strasbourg and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

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

In July, Strasbourg is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 20°C (68°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Strasbourg this time of the year. In the summer, Strasbourg often gets more sunshine than Calais. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais 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 and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Strasbourg is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Calais. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Strasbourg in the winter. In the winter, Strasbourg is much colder than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Strasbourg in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Calais. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in January than Calais. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Calais in the Spring?

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

In April, Strasbourg is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 11°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Strasbourg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Strasbourg usually receives more rain than Calais. Strasbourg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Strasbourg