A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thiva (Thebes) vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Thiva (Thebes)

Thiva (Thebes) is a authentic, vibrant, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a iconic, religious, and historic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Thiva (Thebes) than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Thiva (Thebes) is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Thiva (Thebes) and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Thiva (Thebes) is well known for its standing as one of the oldest cities in the world. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is famous for The Archeological Museum.

How is Thiva (Thebes) different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel and Thiva (Thebes). Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Thiva (Thebes). The city is filled with archeological museums and sights that reflect its long-running history as one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Is the Food Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Thiva (Thebes). It's a large city with restaurants that cater to locals and visitors alike. You can expect high quality ingredients at a fraction of the price that you'll find in more touristy areas.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Thiva (Thebes) has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is filled with lively cafes, bars, and pubs that spill out onto the city's vibrant squares.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Thiva (Thebes) is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Thiva (Thebes) offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the normal retail options around town. Many are in shopping centers and malls.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thiva (Thebes). Kids who are interested in history will appreciate the many archeological ruins and museums in the city.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is very popular for its romantic activities. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Thiva (Thebes) is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's often overlooked as a honeymoon destination in Greece but the history of this long-running city is unique. Today it's a large city but you can still catch glimpses of its past.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with good options for backpackers. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Thiva (Thebes) is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so their aren't a lot of hostels in town.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel.

You'll find some public transit in Thiva (Thebes), but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses in the area.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable island. There are many stunning walks in the area.

Thiva (Thebes) is a somewhat walkable city. Some areas are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Thiva (Thebes) Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Thiva (Thebes)?

How long in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. In our opinion, Mont-Saint-Michel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Thiva (Thebes). However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Thiva (Thebes) than Mont-Saint-Michel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Thiva (Thebes), it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Thiva (Thebes). You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mont-Saint-Michel that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Thiva (Thebes) 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

One day in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Thiva (Thebes), there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Thiva (Thebes), there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Thiva (Thebes). It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Thiva (Thebes) is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thiva (Thebes) Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Thiva (Thebes) has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Thiva (Thebes) are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thiva (Thebes) in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Thiva (Thebes) is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Thiva (Thebes) averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thiva (Thebes). Thiva (Thebes) usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Thiva (Thebes) gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thiva (Thebes) usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Thiva (Thebes) during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thiva (Thebes) for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Thiva (Thebes) is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thiva (Thebes) in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Thiva (Thebes). In the autumn, Thiva (Thebes) often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Thiva (Thebes) usually gets less rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Thiva (Thebes) and Mont-Saint-Michel. The winter months attract visitors to Thiva (Thebes) because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In January, Thiva (Thebes) is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Thiva (Thebes) average around 10°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Thiva (Thebes) usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Thiva (Thebes) gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thiva (Thebes) usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Thiva (Thebes) as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The activities around the city are the main draw to Thiva (Thebes) this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty.

Thiva (Thebes) is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Thiva (Thebes) averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thiva (Thebes) this time of the year. In the spring, Thiva (Thebes) often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Thiva (Thebes) usually gets less rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Thiva (Thebes) gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Thiva (Thebes)