A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Giverny for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a historic, quaint, and idyllic town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and theater.

Giverny

Giverny is a serene, inspiring, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is better known for its museums and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm. Giverny is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Giverny and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Giverny is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is an amazing town to visit for its theatre productions. However, Giverny is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Stratford-upon-Avon draw crowds from around the world. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Giverny is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny can be an enjoyable experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Stratford-upon-Avon. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for Families?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers lots of family activities. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for Couples?

Giverny is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Giverny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Giverny is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Giverny is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Giverny has some public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny a more walkable city?

Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny are notable when it comes to walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Giverny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny to fill your time. In our opinion, Giverny has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Giverny than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Giverny than Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Giverny that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Giverny than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Giverny.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with plenty to do. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Giverny, many people enjoy the food and museums that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Stratford-upon-Avon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer.

Many people visit Giverny for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Giverny, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The beautiful destination of Giverny offers food and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. This town offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon is more expensive. And not only is Giverny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Giverny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Giverny 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 Stratford-upon-Avon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stratford-upon-Avon than you might in Giverny.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

Stratford-upon-Avon has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Giverny. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during summer. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Giverny. The autumn months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Giverny. It's quite cold in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally cooler than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Stratford-upon-Avon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Giverny in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in April than Giverny. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Stratford-upon-Avon