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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Nice?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Nice. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a natural, temple-filled, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Nice

Nice is a glamourous, beautiful, and opulent seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Chiang Mai and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Nice. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is very popular for its museums, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Nice attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Chiang Mai is famous for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also well known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Nice is famous for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities.

How is Chiang Mai different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Nice?

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chiang Mai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Nice both to be fantastic destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

For foodies, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Nice just to party. 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.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Nice for its luxury resorts. 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.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is a great seaside destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Nice for it's beautiful 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.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Nice.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nice. 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 Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Chiang Mai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nice. 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 Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Chiang Mai is a very kid-friendly city. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

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 Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Nice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Chiang Mai. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Plenty of backpackers 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 Chiang Mai or Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nice is a great seaside destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Nice is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both buses and trams.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Chiang Mai or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Nice?

In either Chiang Mai or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than Nice because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Chiang Mai. 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 Chiang Mai than Nice 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and nightlife around the trendy seaside destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai is a fun place to experience. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai is a friendly big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Nice, a popular seaside destination, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Nice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, 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 Chiang Mai and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Nice is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice than you might in Chiang Mai.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Nice?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Nice?

Nice has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Nice. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Nice. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Nice. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Nice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Nice. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Nice. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Nice and Chiang Mai