A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Lille for Food, Old Town, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lille than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions and small town charm. Lille is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Also, Lille is famous for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille.

While most people don't head to Stratford-upon-Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Lille offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is very popular for its theatre productions. However, Lille is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Stratford-upon-Avon. 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.

Lille is not a theatre destination.

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

Lille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Lille has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Lille is a very popular place for its old town. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

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

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille Better for Couples?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Stratford-upon-Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Lille is a good town 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Lille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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 Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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 Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Lille. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. 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.

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

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

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lille than in Stratford-upon-Avon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Stratford-upon-Avon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille 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 Lille.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille?

Even though Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Lots of people come for the theater. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Lille, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Many people visit Lille for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a fun place to experience. Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the theater. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The beautiful destination of Lille offers food and shopping. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the theater. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon 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 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 Lille.

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 Lille Expensive?.

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

Lille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Lille. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Lille and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Lille and Stratford-upon-Avon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets more sunshine than Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Lille. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Stratford-upon-Avon