A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cannes vs. Oslo for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cannes or Oslo?

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 Cannes and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Cannes and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Oslo is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Cannes is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Also, Cannes is famous for Boulevard de la Croisette. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Cannes different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cannes or Oslo?

Oslo is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Oslo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cannes or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Cannes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Cannes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Music?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

Cannes is a world class music destination. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Resorts?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for its resorts. However, Oslo is not a resort destination.

Cannes offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Oslo is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Cannes has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Cannes is notable for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cannes. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cannes to see the historical old town. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Oslo?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Cannes is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Cannes is a family-friendly resort city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Couples?

Cannes is an amazing resort city to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Cannes has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Oslo is very popular with students. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Cannes is not popular with students.

Is Cannes or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Cannes or Oslo a more walkable city?

Cannes and Oslo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Cannes is a very walkable destination. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cannes Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Oslo?

In either Cannes or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Cannes because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cannes, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

One day in Cannes or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Cannes. 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.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Cannes or Oslo?

Cannes is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Oslo 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.

Five days in Cannes or Oslo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the luxury destination of Cannes. This resort city 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.

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

A week in Cannes or Oslo?

The glitzy resort city of Cannes offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the clean big city of Oslo. 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 Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Oslo, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Oslo, 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 Cannes or Oslo?

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 Cannes or Oslo in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Cannes is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cannes in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Oslo. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Oslo in the Autumn?

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

In October, Cannes is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 17°C (63°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Oslo. Many visitors come to Cannes in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Cannes is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Oslo. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Oslo in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Cannes is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cannes in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Cannes