A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Viseu vs. Chartres for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Viseu or Chartres?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Viseu and Chartres 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.

Where Should I go: Viseu or Chartres?

Viseu

Viseu is the beautiful capital city of the Centro Region of Portugal, located northeast of Lisbon. The city, which is situated in the center of the famous Dao wine region, offers stunning natural scenery and beautiful ancient architecture. The best time to visit Viseu is during the summer from June through September when temperatures tend to range from 75-85° Fahrenheit and there is less rain. From October-May, temperatures tend to stay between 45-60° F and rainfall is at its highest.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Viseu or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Viseu. When comparing the sizes of Viseu and Chartres, 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 Viseu or Chartres?

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 Viseu or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Viseu and Chartres. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Viseu is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Viseu in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Viseu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Viseu usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Viseu gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Viseu usually receives less rain than Chartres. Viseu gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Viseu or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Viseu as well as Chartres. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Viseu is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Viseu average around 18°C (65°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Viseu often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Viseu gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Viseu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Viseu usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Viseu gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Viseu or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Viseu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. Viseu is much warmer than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Viseu averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Viseu usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Viseu gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Viseu. In January, Viseu usually receives more rain than Chartres. Viseu gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Viseu or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Viseu during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the spring, Viseu is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Viseu in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Viseu. In the spring, Viseu often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Viseu gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Viseu usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Viseu gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Viseu