A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volterra vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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.

Volterra

Volterra is a medieval, cultural, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Volterra. Although Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations, Volterra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Volterra is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Volterra and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. It is also well known for The Roman Theater.

How is Volterra different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel and Volterra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Mont-Saint-Michel that are not to be missed. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Many visitors head to Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Volterra has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Volterra is a town with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Volterra is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Volterra is revered around the world. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Volterra is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Volterra offers some nice shopping areas. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Volterra is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volterra. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel make for a world-class place to visit.

Volterra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

For those traveling as a couple, Mont-Saint-Michel has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Volterra. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Mont-Saint-Michel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Volterra on foot is easy. Most people explore the town on foot.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Volterra Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Volterra than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Volterra.

One day in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though Volterra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

The beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Volterra is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mont-Saint-Michel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Volterra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Volterra is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Volterra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volterra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volterra 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 Volterra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volterra Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

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

Volterra has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Volterra 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 Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Volterra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Volterra is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Volterra in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volterra. Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volterra usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Volterra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Volterra is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 16°C (61°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Volterra often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Volterra. Volterra usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Volterra is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volterra usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Volterra is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Volterra in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Volterra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Volterra