A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Viseu vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Viseu 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 Viseu 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.

Where Should I go: Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Viseu and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 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 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Viseu has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Viseu 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 Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Viseu during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Viseu is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Viseu in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Viseu. In the summer, Viseu often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Viseu usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Viseu and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Viseu is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Viseu average around 18°C (65°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Viseu usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Viseu gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Viseu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Viseu usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Viseu as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Viseu is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Viseu averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Viseu often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Viseu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Viseu usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Viseu or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Viseu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Viseu is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Viseu in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Viseu. Viseu usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Viseu gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Viseu usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Viseu gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Viseu