A Travel Price Comparison for France Strasbourg vs. Lille for Food, Old Town, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Strasbourg or Lille?

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

Strasbourg

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

Lille

Lille is a cultural, culinary, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Strasbourg and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Strasbourg. Although Strasbourg and Lille are popular destinations, Strasbourg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Strasbourg is very popular for its museums & sights and historical sights, while Lille attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Strasbourg is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. It is also well known for The Strasbourg Cathedral. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Strasbourg different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Strasbourg is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille 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.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a great city for nightlife. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Lille has something for everybody. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Strasbourg. 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.

Is Strasbourg or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Strasbourg has a world-famous historical area. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Lille?

Lille is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Strasbourg is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Strasbourg or Lille Better for Families?

Strasbourg is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Strasbourg is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Strasbourg or Lille Better for Couples?

Strasbourg is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Strasbourg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Strasbourg or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Strasbourg and Lille 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 Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Strasbourg or Lille Better for Students?

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

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

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

Strasbourg and Lille both offer excellent 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 Lille can get you to some places easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Strasbourg or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Lille?

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

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

One day in Strasbourg or Lille?

In Strasbourg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this impressive 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 shopping and nightlife around the culinary city of Lille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Lille?

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 Lille, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Strasbourg or Lille?

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.

Lille, a popular city, 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 Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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.

Lille 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Strasbourg and Lille, we can see that Strasbourg is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Lille?

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

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Strasbourg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Strasbourg is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Strasbourg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Strasbourg. In the summer, Strasbourg often gets more sunshine than Lille. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Strasbourg and Lille. Many travelers come to Strasbourg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Strasbourg is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 12°C (53°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Strasbourg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Lille. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Strasbourg as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Strasbourg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Strasbourg can get quite cold in the winter. Strasbourg is much colder than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Lille. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Strasbourg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Strasbourg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Strasbourg is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Strasbourg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Strasbourg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Strasbourg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Strasbourg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Strasbourg