A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Toulon or Arles?

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 Toulon and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Arles?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Arles than Toulon. While Toulon is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Arles is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Arles is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Toulon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulon or Arles?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Arles that are not to be missed. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Is the Food Better in Toulon or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arles makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Arles are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Arles?

Toulon is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Families?

Toulon is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Toulon. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toulon is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Toulon or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Toulon and Arles offer notable public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Arles has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Toulon or Arles a more walkable city?

Toulon and Arles both are very good when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Arles is a very walkable port city. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Arles?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Arles 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 Toulon.

One day in Toulon or Arles?

In Toulon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this industrial destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. 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.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Arles?

Toulon is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Toulon. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Toulon or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the industrial destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Arles. This town 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Arles?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Arles, 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 Toulon or Arles?

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 Toulon or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Arles. The summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In July, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during summer. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulon usually receives less rain than Arles. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulon or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Arles. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Toulon is around the same temperature as Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the autumn, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Arles. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Toulon usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Toulon is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Toulon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during winter. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulon usually receives more rain than Arles. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulon or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Toulon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 13°C (56°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the spring, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Arles. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Toulon