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

Should you visit Birmingham or Nantes?

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 Birmingham and Nantes can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

Nantes is a welcoming, friendly, and historical city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Nantes?

You'll generally find more things to do in Birmingham than Nantes. Birmingham is bigger than Nantes, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Birmingham is better known for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Birmingham different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Birmingham or Nantes.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Birmingham or Nantes Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Nantes is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Nantes is not a theatre destination.

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

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Birmingham and Nantes.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Birmingham or Nantes Better for Music?

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

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Nantes is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Nantes?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Nantes both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Birmingham or Nantes Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Nantes.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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.

Is Birmingham or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Nantes are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Nantes is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Birmingham or Nantes Better for Students?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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.

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

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

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).

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Nantes a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Nantes are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Nantes. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Nantes, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Nantes?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nantes, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nantes, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Nantes?

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

Nantes is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Birmingham and Nantes, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Nantes?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Nantes?

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 Birmingham or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Nantes. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Birmingham is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Birmingham is cooler than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Birmingham is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Nantes. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nantes because of the natural beauty.

In April, Birmingham is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Nantes. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Birmingham