A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Nantes for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Aalborg or Nantes?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Nantes. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a local, historic, and charming town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Nantes?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nantes than Aalborg. Nantes is bigger than Aalborg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nantes is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Aalborg is more popular for its small town charm. Aalborg is well known for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Also, Nantes is famous for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Aalborg different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nantes and Aalborg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Nantes?

Nantes is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Aalborg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aalborg or Nantes has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aalborg know how to have a good time. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

The nightlife in Nantes has something for everybody. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Aalborg and Nantes.

Many visitors go to Aalborg to see the historical old town. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nantes. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Nantes?

Nantes is a great destination for shopping. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Aalborg offers lots of family activities. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Couples?

Nantes is a great destination for romance. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Students?

Aalborg and Nantes are notable places to visit for students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

It's common for students to visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Is Aalborg or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantes is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Nantes can move around easily with public transportation. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

While Aalborg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Nantes. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nantes than Aalborg. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nantes than Aalborg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantes that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantes than Aalborg 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 Nantes.

One day in Aalborg or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aalborg. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Aalborg or Nantes?

Aalborg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. 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 food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nantes 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.

A week in Aalborg or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Aalborg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, 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 Aalborg and Nantes, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg than you might in Nantes.

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Nantes, 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 Aalborg or Nantes?

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 Aalborg or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Nantes. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Aalborg is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 16°C (61°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Aalborg usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Aalborg is cooler than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Nantes. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aalborg or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Aalborg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

The weather in Aalborg can be very cold. In the winter, Aalborg is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aalborg in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Nantes. The small town charm are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

In April, Aalborg is generally much colder than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 6°C (43°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In April, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Nantes. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Aalborg