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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Nantes?

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 Heidelberg and Nantes. 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantes than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nantes is very popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also well known for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Heidelberg different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Heidelberg or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Heidelberg and Nantes.

The nightlife in Heidelberg has something for everybody. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Nantes offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Heidelberg or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Nantes?

Nantes is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Nantes both great destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Nantes is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Nantes are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Nantes is a good town to visit for 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 Heidelberg or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Heidelberg and Nantes both offer great public transit to get you around.

Heidelberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Nantes. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Heidelberg or Nantes a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Nantes are great when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Nantes?

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

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

One day in Heidelberg or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Nantes, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Nantes?

Heidelberg 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nantes, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Nantes, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Heidelberg. This town 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.

Nantes is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, 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 Heidelberg and Nantes, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg than you might in Nantes.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Nantes?

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 Heidelberg or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Nantes. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In January, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Heidelberg during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in April than Nantes. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Heidelberg