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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a cultural, historical, and vibrant 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 chic, glamourous, and beautiful seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Galway and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nice than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Galway attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Galway 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. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Nice is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is notable for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Nice?

Nice is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Families?

Both Galway and Nice are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Nice Better for Students?

Galway is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Nice. There are both buses and trams.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Galway?

How long in Galway or Nice?

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

Families should spend more time in Nice than Galway. 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 Galway. 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 Galway 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 Galway or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. 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 one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or Nice?

Galway is a fun place to experience. 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.

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Nice?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Galway. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Galway or Nice?

The lively city of Galway 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Nice. This seaside destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Nice. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Nice in the Autumn?

Both Nice and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Galway is generally much colder than Nice. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Nice. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Nice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Nice. Many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nice in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Galway is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Nice. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Nice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Nice. Many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nice and Galway