A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulon vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Toulon or Pompeii?

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

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Toulon and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pompeii than Toulon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pompeii is better known for its museums, while Toulon is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Also, Pompeii is famous for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Toulon different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii 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 Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulon is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Toulon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pompeii is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. 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.

Pompeii is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Pompeii?

Toulon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. 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.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Pompeii are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Toulon and Pompeii are notable destinations for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Toulon or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is very good for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Pompeii is a good archeological site to visit for students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Both Toulon and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii has some public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Toulon or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulon or Pompeii 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 Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or Pompeii?

In Toulon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toulon has to offer.

Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

Toulon 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.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the famous destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulon and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Toulon or Pompeii?

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 Toulon or Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Toulon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

In July, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Pompeii. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Toulon is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Toulon usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Pompeii in the winter for the museums.

In the winter, Toulon is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Toulon usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 13°C (56°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Toulon