A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful, picturesque, and romantic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Nafplio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nafplio is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Nafplio and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Nafplio is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also home to Palamidi Castle.

How is Nafplio different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel and Nafplio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Many visitors head to Nafplio specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Is the Food Better in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nafplio is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nafplio. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Nafplio know how to have a good time. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is very good for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Nafplio to enjoy the beach. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Nafplio is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nafplio offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Nafplio is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nafplio. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Couples visit Nafplio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Nafplio is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Nafplio on foot is easy. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Nafplio Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nafplio than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nafplio than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Nafplio.

One day in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Nafplio, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find food and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the picturesque city of Nafplio, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Nafplio is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Nafplio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nafplio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nafplio 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Nafplio.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nafplio Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Nafplio has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Nafplio is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Nafplio