A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a park-filled, charming, and historic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the food and theater. See Stratford-upon-Avon travel costs.

Avignon

Avignon is a scenic, picturesque, and historical town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Avignon travel costs.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Avignon. Although Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon are both popular with visitors, Avignon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Avignon is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Stratford-upon-Avon is known for its theatre productions. Avignon is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also home to Palais des Papes. Stratford-upon-Avon is popular for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Avignon are world-renowned. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is renowned for its shows and theatre. However, Avignon is not a theatre destination.

Stratford-upon-Avon is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Avignon is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Avignon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

The decent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Stratford-upon-Avon. Music and theater are what make this nightlife interesting.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Avignon is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Avignon. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Couples?

Avignon is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Avignon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Avignon is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon to fill your time. In our opinion, Avignon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Avignon than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Stratford-upon-Avon. 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 Avignon than Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Avignon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Avignon.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with plenty to do. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. 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.

In Avignon, many people enjoy the museums and food that this small town destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer.

Many people visit Avignon for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Avignon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to explore. 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.

The small town destination of Avignon offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers something for everyone. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Stratford-upon-Avon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Stratford-upon-Avon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon.

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

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Avignon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more rain than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Stratford-upon-Avon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Avignon because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 11°C (52°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Avignon. The winter months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

The weather in Stratford-upon-Avon can be very cold. Stratford-upon-Avon is much colder than Avignon in the winter. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Avignon. The small town charm are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm.

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon is much colder than Avignon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Avignon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in April than Avignon. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Stratford-upon-Avon