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

Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Nantes can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

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

Manchester and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Nantes?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Nantes. Manchester is bigger than Nantes, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its music and big city activities, while Nantes is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Manchester different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Manchester or Nantes.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Manchester or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Manchester and Nantes.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Manchester or Nantes Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Manchester while you're in town. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is very good for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Nantes?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Nantes both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Manchester or Nantes Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Nantes.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Manchester or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Nantes are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester or Nantes Better for Students?

Manchester is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester and Nantes both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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

Is Manchester or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Manchester and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Manchester than in Nantes. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

One day in Manchester or Nantes?

Manchester 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.

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful 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 Manchester or Nantes?

Manchester 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 Manchester or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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 Manchester or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Manchester and Nantes, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Nantes?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Nantes in the Summer?

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

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Nantes. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Nantes in the Autumn?

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

Manchester is cooler than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nantes. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Nantes in the Winter?

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

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives less rain than Nantes. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Nantes in the Spring?

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

In April, Manchester is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Nantes. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Manchester