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

Should you visit Marbella or Nantes?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Nantes, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a glamorous, fun-filled, and high energy resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

Nantes is a friendly, historical, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Marbella and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Nantes?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Marbella than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Marbella is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Nantes is known for its museums and food. Marbella is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also home to Plaza de los Naranjos. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Marbella different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nantes is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Marbella or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Marbella 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 Marbella is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

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 Marbella or Nantes Better for Music?

Marbella 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 Marbella while you're in town. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Nantes Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Nantes is not a resort destination.

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Nantes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Nantes Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Marbella are among the best in the world. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Marbella and Nantes both have good historical old towns that attract visitors.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Marbella. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Nantes offers a nice historic old town area. 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 Marbella or Nantes?

Marbella 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 Marbella specifically to go shopping. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

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 Marbella or Nantes Better for Families?

Marbella and Nantes are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Nantes is known to be 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 Marbella or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Marbella has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

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 Marbella or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella 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 Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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 Marbella or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella 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.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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).

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Nantes a more walkable city?

Marbella and Nantes are superb when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Nantes?

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

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

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

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

One day in Marbella or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. 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.

The beautiful city of Nantes offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Nantes?

Marbella 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.

Nantes is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nantes, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. 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.

Nantes is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy destination of Marbella. This resort town 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 is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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 Marbella 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 Marbella or Nantes in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Marbella is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Nantes. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during summer. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marbella usually receives less rain than Nantes. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marbella or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Marbella during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the autumn, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Nantes. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Marbella is much warmer than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during winter. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marbella usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marbella or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Nantes. Many visitors come to Marbella in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the spring, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in April than Nantes. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Marbella