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

Should you visit Cork or Nantes?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cork and Nantes can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cork

Cork is a energetic, cultural, and seaside city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cork and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cork or Nantes?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cork than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Cork, Cork has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cork is better known for its big city activities, while Nantes is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Cork is well known for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. Also, Cork is famous for The Blarney Castle and Stone. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Cork different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Cork and Nantes have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cork. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nantes. 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 the Food Better in Cork or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Nantes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Cork has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Cork or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Cork and Nantes.

Cork has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Nantes has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Cork or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical 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.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cork or Nantes?

Both Cork and Nantes are high quality shopping destinations.

Cork is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Nantes is well-known for its shopping. 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 Cork or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Cork or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Cork and Nantes are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cork is a very popular place to visit for couples. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Cork or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cork is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Cork or Nantes Better for Students?

Cork is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Cork is a great city to visit as a student. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

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

Nantes is notable for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

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).

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Cork or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is notable for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Cork?

How long in Cork or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cork and Nantes. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nantes than Cork. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cork, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Cork. 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 Cork. 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 Cork than Nantes 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 Cork.

One day in Cork or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cork. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nantes. 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 Cork or Nantes?

Cork 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.

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.

Five days in Cork or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Nantes. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cork or Nantes?

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

The historical city of Nantes offers nightlife and food. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cork and Nantes, we can see that Nantes 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 Cork Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cork or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Cork 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 Cork or Nantes?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cork or Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Cork during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Nantes because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cork is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 16°C (60°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cork often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Cork gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Cork usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Cork gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cork or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cork and Nantes. The autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

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

Cork usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Cork gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cork usually receives more rain than Nantes. Cork gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cork or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cork as well as Nantes. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cork is around the same temperature as Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cork in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Cork often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Cork gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Cork receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cork usually gets more rain in January than Nantes. Cork gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cork or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Cork are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

Cork usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Cork gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cork usually receives more rain than Nantes. Cork gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Cork