A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Munich vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Munich or Nice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Nice, 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.

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Munich and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Nice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Nice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Nice is known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is more touristy than Munich and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace.

How is Munich different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Munich or Nice?

Munich is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Munich or Nice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Munich and Nice.

Munich is a world class party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Nice is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Music?

Munich is renowned for its live music scene. However, Nice is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Nice is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Munich is not a resort destination.

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Munich is not a resort destination.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is well known for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nice. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is Munich or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Nice to see the historical old town. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Nice?

Munich is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Families?

Munich is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Nice is a family-friendly city. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Munich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is renowned for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Students?

Munich is renowned for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Munich is a very popular city for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Nice is not popular with students.

Is Munich or Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is renowned for its public transit. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Munich has a great public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

Is Munich or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Nice on foot is easy. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Munich Worth Visiting? and Is Nice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Munich?

How long in Munich or Nice?

In either Munich or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Nice 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 Munich.

One day in Munich or Nice?

Munich is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Munich or Nice?

Munich is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Nice 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.

Five days in Munich or Nice?

Munich is a multicultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A week in Munich or Nice?

The multicultural city of Munich offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Munich or Nice?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Nice, 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 Munich or Nice?

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 Munich or Nice in the Summer?

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

In July, Munich is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Nice. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Nice in the Autumn?

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

Munich is much colder than Nice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. Munich usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Nice in the Winter?

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

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Munich is much colder than Nice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Nice averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Nice. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Nice in the Spring?

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

In April, Munich is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nice and Munich