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

Should you visit Fez or Nice?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fez and Nice 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.

Fez

Fez is a ancient, winding, and busy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Nice

Nice is a chic, glamourous, and beautiful seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Fez and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fez or Nice?

You'll generally find more things to do in Fez than Nice. Fez is bigger than Nice, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Fez is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Nice is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is more touristy than Fez and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Fez is well known for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes. Also, Fez is famous for the Chouara Tannery.

The Chouara Tannery

How is Fez different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Fez are among the most recognizable in the world. Tucked into the medina are ancient mosques, historic universities, and beautiful gardens. Highlights of the city include Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, Dar Batha (a palace and museum), and Medersa Bou Inania (a former theological college). Another not to be missed sight is the tanneries. You'll likely smell them before you see them, but the history is truly impressive.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Fez and Nice offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Fez have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Some of the best food in Morocco can be found in Fez. Head away from the main gates and the major tourist routes to find more local restaurants. Every visitor must try tagine. It's not actually a recipe but instead a cooking pot and technique. If you order a tagine, you'll enjoy a stew like dish that's slow cooked and usually made with lamb or chicken although vegetarian options are often available. Other dishes to try include couscous and pastilla. Pastilla is a pastry covered chicken dish that is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar.

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.

Is Fez or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Fez is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Nice is a world class party destination. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fez. It's a conservative city and the nightlife reflects that. You'll find some bars in the major hotel chains and you can often find alcohol at the more expensive restaurants.

Is Fez or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Fez is not a resort destination.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Fez is not a resort destination.

Is Fez or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Fez is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Fez is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fez or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Fez is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. 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.

Fez is not a beach destination.

Is Fez or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Fez is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Fez is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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 Fez or Nice?

Fez 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 Fez make it a world-class shopping destination. Head to the medina and try your hand at negotiating. There are impressive art shops and hidden gems spread between more touristy shops selling souvenir trinkets.

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 Fez or Nice Better for Families?

Both Fez and Nice are notable to visit with kids.

Fez is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering the medina, sampling Moroccan dishes, and trying their hand at bartering for a good price. There are several gardens that offer a quiet oasis from the chaotic streets. There's also baklava and other sweet treats that kids can taste. Many kids enjoy taking a tour to the nearby countryside where they can feed monkeys, hike, and visit local villages.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nice. 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 Fez or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Fez is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Couples visit Fez frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.

Is Fez or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fez 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 Fez. Prices are very affordable and there are riads that range in price and style. Many restaurants cater to different budgets and most of the entertainment involves wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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 Fez or Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nice is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Fez is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Nice can get you to some places easily. There are both buses and trams.

Public transit is generally limited in Fez. There's a basic public transportation system with buses and a train station, but you'll likely need to take taxis if you can't walk to a destination. Taxis are affordable and abundant.

Is Fez or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Fez is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

Fez is a very walkable destination. The medina can be explored on foot, but it's easy to get lost so allow a lot of time. There are several walking routes through the medina that are marked with colors but you'll likely find yourself wandering on and off the routes as you explore. Outside of the medina, you'll likely want to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Fez?

How long in Fez or Nice?

In either Fez or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Nice has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nice than Fez. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Fez. 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 Fez 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 Fez.

One day in Fez or Nice?

Fez is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 nightlife and food around the trendy destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Fez or Nice?

Fez is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people visit Nice for a weekend. With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful seaside destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Fez or Nice?

Fez is a ancient big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Fez or Nice?

The busy city of Fez offers museums 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, a popular seaside destination, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, 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 Fez and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Fez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fez is in Africa 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 Fez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fez 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 Fez.

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

Which is Bigger, Fez or Nice?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Fez 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.