A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Utrecht vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Utrecht or Avignon?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Avignon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Utrecht

With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a charming, scenic, and picturesque town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Utrecht and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Avignon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Avignon than Utrecht. While Utrecht is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Avignon is better known for its museums, food, and small town charm, while Utrecht is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Utrecht is well known for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. Avignon is well known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Also, Avignon is famous for Palais des Papes.

How is Utrecht different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Utrecht or Avignon?

Avignon is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Avignon that are not to be missed. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Utrecht offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

Is the Food Better in Utrecht or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Avignon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Utrecht has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Utrecht is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Utrecht has a large number of nightlife venues. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Utrecht and Avignon.

The historic old town of Utrecht is revered around the world. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

With a famous historical old-town, Avignon offers plenty to see. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Is the Shopping Better in Utrecht or Avignon?

Utrecht is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Utrecht. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Utrecht or Avignon.

Utrecht is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

Avignon is a family-friendly . Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Utrecht and Avignon make for a superb place to visit.

Utrecht is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

Avignon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Utrecht is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Utrecht. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Students?

Utrecht is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Utrecht. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Utrecht or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Utrecht is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Utrecht can get you to most places easily. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Utrecht or Avignon a more walkable city?

Utrecht and Avignon both are amazing when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Utrecht on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Avignon. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Utrecht Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Utrecht or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Utrecht than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Utrecht, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Utrecht than Avignon 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 Utrecht.

One day in Utrecht or Avignon?

In Utrecht, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Avignon is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

A weekend in Utrecht or Avignon?

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

Avignon 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Avignon has to offer.

Five days in Utrecht or Avignon?

Utrecht is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Avignon is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Utrecht or Avignon?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Since Avignon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Avignon?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht and Avignon, 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 Utrecht or Avignon?

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 Utrecht or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Utrecht during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Utrecht is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 17°C (62°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in July than Avignon. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Avignon. The autumn months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

Utrecht is much colder than Avignon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Avignon. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Utrecht or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Avignon. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Utrecht in the winter. In the winter, Utrecht is much colder than Avignon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Utrecht in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Avignon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Avignon. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Utrecht is generally much colder than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 8°C (46°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during spring. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Avignon. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Utrecht