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

Should you visit Aegina or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Nantes? 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.

Aegina

Aegina is a vibrant, fun, and active island. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aegina and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nantes. Although Aegina and Nantes are popular destinations, Nantes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nantes is very popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Aegina attracts visitors for its beaches and small town charm. Aegina is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also well known for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Aegina different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Aegina or Nantes.

Aegina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Many visitors head to Nantes specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

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 Aegina or Nantes Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

Aegina has a beach worth visiting. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Aegina or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Nantes offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Nantes?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nantes. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Aegina. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Aegina or Nantes Better for Families?

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

Nantes is known to be 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.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Nantes Better for Couples?

Nantes is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina 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 Aegina. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

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 Aegina or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for students. However, Aegina is not popular with students.

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

Aegina is not popular with students.

Is Aegina 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, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Nantes offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Aegina or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aegina and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nantes than in Aegina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Aegina. 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 Aegina. 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 Aegina 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 Aegina or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aegina. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Aegina or Nantes?

Aegina 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.

Nantes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Aegina or Nantes?

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

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina 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 Aegina 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 Aegina or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Aegina is a little warmer than Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the summer, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in July than Nantes. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Nantes in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Aegina is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aegina in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aegina usually receives less rain than Nantes. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aegina or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Aegina during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aegina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Aegina is generally much warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 10°C (51°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Nantes. The spring months attract visitors to Aegina because of the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

Aegina is a little warmer than Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Nantes. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Aegina