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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Nantes?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Nantes, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a friendly, historical, and beautiful city. 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 nightlife.

Amsterdam and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Nantes, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nantes is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Amsterdam different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Nantes.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

Nantes is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. 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 Amsterdam or Nantes?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Nantes and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Nantes are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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 Amsterdam or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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).

Is Amsterdam or Nantes a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Nantes. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

One day in Amsterdam or Nantes?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nantes. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Nantes?

Amsterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Nantes. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Nantes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Nantes?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Nantes is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam and Nantes, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Nantes?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Nantes. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Nantes averages at about 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 Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Nantes. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much colder than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Nantes. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Amsterdam