A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Bath or Nice?

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 Bath and Nice can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a historical, beautiful, and architectural spa town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nice

Nice is a opulent, trendy, and chic seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Bath and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nice than Bath. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere, while Bath attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than Bath and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also well known for The Promenade des Anglais. Bath is famous for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums.

How is Bath different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Nice?

Bath is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Bath are among the most recognizable in the world. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Nice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Nice has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Nice is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Bath is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Nice is a perfect choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Bath is not a resort destination.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bath is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Bath is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Bath is not a beach destination.

Nice is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Bath is not a beach destination.

Is Bath or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Bath and Nice are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Many visitors go to Nice to see the historical old town. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Nice?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Bath and Nice.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bath. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Bath or Nice.

Bath is a family-friendly spa town. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nice. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Couples?

Both Bath and Nice are amazing destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Bath has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bath and Nice are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Bath is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

It's common for backpackers to visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Students?

Bath is a well-known place for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Nice is not popular with students.

Is Bath or Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nice is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Nice. There are both buses and trams.

You'll find some public transit in Bath, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Is Bath or Nice a more walkable city?

Bath and Nice are amazing when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bath. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Getting around Nice on foot is easy. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Nice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Bath?

How long in Bath or Nice?

In either Bath or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than Bath because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bath, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice than Bath 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 Nice.

One day in Bath or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bath. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Nice. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bath or Nice?

Bath is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Nice is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bath or Nice?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Bath. This spa town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the glamourous destination of Nice. This seaside destination offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bath or Nice?

The historical spa town of Bath offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

The beautiful seaside destination of Nice offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Bath and Nice, we can see that Bath is more expensive. And not only is Nice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nice 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 Bath would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bath than you might in Nice.

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

Which is Bigger, Bath or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Nice, 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.