A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Belfast or Nice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Nice, 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and shopping.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food.

Belfast and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nice than Belfast. 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, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Belfast attracts visitors for its big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Belfast and is known 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. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nice is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

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

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Resorts?

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

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Belfast is not a resort destination.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Belfast is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Belfast is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Belfast is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nice. 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Nice?

Nice is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Nice is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Families?

Belfast and Nice are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Nice is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is an unbeatable place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Nice Better for Students?

Belfast is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Belfast is a good city to visit for students. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Nice?

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

Families should spend more time in Nice than Belfast. 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Nice, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This seaside destination offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Belfast or Nice?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

In Nice, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Belfast or Nice?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nice is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nice has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Nice?

The under-rated city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Nice. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Belfast and Nice, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Nice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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.

When is the best time to visit Belfast or Nice?

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 Belfast or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Belfast is much colder than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belfast in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Belfast usually receives more rain than Nice. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Nice in the Autumn?

Both Nice and Belfast during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Belfast is generally much colder than Nice. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 9°C (48°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Belfast usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Nice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Nice. Many visitors come to Belfast in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Belfast can get quite cold in the winter. Belfast is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nice. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Nice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Nice. Most visitors come to Belfast for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Belfast is much colder than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belfast in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Belfast usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nice and Belfast