A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chefchaouen vs. Saint-Etienne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chefchaouen and Saint-Etienne 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: Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne?

Chefchaouen

To feel like you've really stepped back in time to the glory days of Morocco, you're going to want to spend time in Chefchaouen. This town's beautiful medina is filled with white washed buildings with blue highlights. The wandering alleyways provide a fairy tale setting where you can relax for a few days. This mountainous region is a humble example of the classic picture of this area. Set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the white and powder blue accented buildings and call to calls to prayer throughout the day let every visitor know they've arrived in a relaxing spot of peace and serenity.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chefchaouen and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Saint-Etienne is more expensive. And not only is Chefchaouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chefchaouen is in Africa and Saint-Etienne is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chefchaouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chefchaouen 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 Saint-Etienne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Etienne than you might in Chefchaouen.

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

Which is Bigger, Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chefchaouen. When comparing the sizes of Chefchaouen and Saint-Etienne, 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 Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chefchaouen experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Chefchaouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chefchaouen throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chefchaouen is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Chefchaouen average around 24°C (74°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Chefchaouen gets 346 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chefchaouen usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Chefchaouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chefchaouen because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Chefchaouen is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chefchaouen averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Chefchaouen. In the autumn, Chefchaouen often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Chefchaouen usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chefchaouen and Saint-Etienne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chefchaouen year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chefchaouen is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chefchaouen in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Chefchaouen usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Chefchaouen gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chefchaouen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chefchaouen usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chefchaouen or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chefchaouen as well as Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

In April, Chefchaouen is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Chefchaouen average around 15°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chefchaouen this time of the year. In the spring, Chefchaouen often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Chefchaouen usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Chefchaouen gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Chefchaouen