A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dusseldorf vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a historic, fun-filled, and cultural 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, food, and shopping.

Nice

Nice is a glamourous, beautiful, and opulent seaside destination. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Dusseldorf and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dusseldorf or Nice?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nice than Dusseldorf. While Dusseldorf is larger than Nice, Nice has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dusseldorf attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Dusseldorf 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. Dusseldorf is famous for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany.

How is Dusseldorf different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dusseldorf or Nice?

Dusseldorf is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Nice, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dusseldorf has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is very popular for nightlife. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Nice is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Dusseldorf has a few options to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is very popular for its resorts. However, Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is not a resort destination.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is a great destination for its beaches. However, Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is not a beach destination.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

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 the Shopping Better in Dusseldorf or Nice?

Nice is a great destination for shopping. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Dusseldorf. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Families?

Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is a very kid-friendly city. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

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 Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is very popular for romance. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Dusseldorf is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dusseldorf and Nice are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Dusseldorf or Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dusseldorf is renowned for its public transit. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Dusseldorf has a great public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

Is Dusseldorf or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is very popular for its walkability. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Dusseldorf is a very walkable city. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Dusseldorf?

How long in Dusseldorf or Nice?

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

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Dusseldorf. 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 Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dusseldorf. 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.

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 Dusseldorf or Nice?

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf or Nice?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Dusseldorf. This 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.

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 Dusseldorf or Nice?

The fun-filled city of Dusseldorf offers nightlife and food. 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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, 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 Dusseldorf and Nice, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive? and Is Nice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dusseldorf or Nice?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf or Nice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dusseldorf and Nice. Most visitors come to Dusseldorf for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dusseldorf is cooler than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dusseldorf in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Dusseldorf usually receives more rain than Nice. Dusseldorf gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dusseldorf as well as Nice. The autumn months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In October, Dusseldorf is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 12°C (53°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. Dusseldorf usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Dusseldorf gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Nice in the Winter?

Both Nice and Dusseldorf are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dusseldorf in the winter. Dusseldorf is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Dusseldorf usually receives less rain than Nice. Dusseldorf gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Dusseldorf during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nice in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dusseldorf is cooler than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dusseldorf in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Dusseldorf usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Dusseldorf gets 51 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 Dusseldorf