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

Should you visit London or Nantes?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Nantes can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

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

London and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. London is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

Big Ben

How is London different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

London 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, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 London or Nantes Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Nantes is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Nantes is not a theatre destination.

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

Nantes is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is London or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 London or Nantes Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is London or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is very good for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. 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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Nantes?

London is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is London or Nantes Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nantes does not offer Christmas activities.

London offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Nantes does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Nantes Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Nantes does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Nantes does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Nantes Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is London or Nantes Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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 London or Nantes Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

London is a great destination for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Nantes is popular with 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 London or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Visitors to Nantes can move around easily with public transportation. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is London or Nantes a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in London. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or London?

How long in London or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Nantes. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

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

One day in London or Nantes?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nantes. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Nantes?

London 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.

Nantes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in London or Nantes?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in London or Nantes?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Nantes. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, 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 London and Nantes, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, London or Nantes?

London has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London 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 London or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Nantes. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences.

London is around the same temperature as Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°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. London usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit London or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to London as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, London is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, London often gets less sunshine than Nantes. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and London are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, London usually receives less rain than Nantes. London 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 London or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and London during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Nantes because of the natural beauty.

London is cooler than Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, London often gets less sunshine than Nantes. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in April than Nantes. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and London