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

Should you visit Kos 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 Kos 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.

Kos

Kos is a beautiful, ancient, and cultural island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Nantes

Nantes is a historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Nantes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Nantes, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Nantes is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Kos different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kos is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Kos or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Kos and Nantes offer first-rate local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

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).

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Both Kos and Nantes have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

The people in Nantes know how to have a good time. 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 Kos or Nantes Better for Resorts?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Nantes is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Kos specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Beaches?

Kos is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Kos are among the best in the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

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

Nantes is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Hiking?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Kos has hiking trails worth exploring. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Nantes?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Kos offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

Is Kos or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Kos or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos 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 Kos. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

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 Kos or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Kos is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Kos and Nantes.

Visitors to Kos can move around easily with public transportation. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

The public transit in Nantes can get you around easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Kos or Nantes a more walkable city?

Kos and Nantes are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Kos?

How long in Kos or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Nantes. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Kos. 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 Kos than Nantes. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the historical destination of Nantes, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 Kos or Nantes?

Kos 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.

Many people visit Nantes for a weekend. With food and shopping around the vibrant city of Nantes, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Nantes offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Five days 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.

A week in Kos or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-hard destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nantes, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, 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 Kos and Nantes, we can see that Kos 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 Kos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kos 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 Kos Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kos or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos 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.