A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Fez for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nagano or Fez?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Fez can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Fez

Fez is a ancient, winding, and busy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Nagano and Fez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Fez?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Fez. While Fez is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Fez is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Nagano is more touristy than Fez and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple. Fez is well known for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes.

How is Nagano different from Fez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Skiing?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Fez is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Nagano. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Fez is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or Fez?

Fez is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Fez are world-renowned. Tucked into the medina are ancient mosques, historic universities, and beautiful gardens. Highlights of the city include Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, Dar Batha (a palace and museum), and Medersa Bou Inania (a former theological college). Another not to be missed sight is the tanneries. You'll likely smell them before you see them, but the history is truly impressive.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Is the Food Better in Nagano or Fez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Many restaurants in Fez have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Some of the best food in Morocco can be found in Fez. Head away from the main gates and the major tourist routes to find more local restaurants. Every visitor must try tagine. It's not actually a recipe but instead a cooking pot and technique. If you order a tagine, you'll enjoy a stew like dish that's slow cooked and usually made with lamb or chicken although vegetarian options are often available. Other dishes to try include couscous and pastilla. Pastilla is a pastry covered chicken dish that is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar.

Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Fez is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Nagano has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fez. It's a conservative city and the nightlife reflects that. You'll find some bars in the major hotel chains and you can often find alcohol at the more expensive restaurants.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Fez is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Fez is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for its Old Town?

Fez is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Fez has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Hiking?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Fez is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Fez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Fez?

Fez is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Fez draws large crowds to its stores. Head to the medina and try your hand at negotiating. There are impressive art shops and hidden gems spread between more touristy shops selling souvenir trinkets.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Families?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fez is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Fez. Kids will enjoy wandering the medina, sampling Moroccan dishes, and trying their hand at bartering for a good price. There are several gardens that offer a quiet oasis from the chaotic streets. There's also baklava and other sweet treats that kids can taste. Many kids enjoy taking a tour to the nearby countryside where they can feed monkeys, hike, and visit local villages.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Couples?

Fez is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Fez is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fez is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Fez is extremely popular for backpackers. Prices are very affordable and there are riads that range in price and style. Many restaurants cater to different budgets and most of the entertainment involves wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Students?

Nagano is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Fez is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Fez is not popular with students.

Is Nagano or Fez Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagano is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Fez is lacking in options for its public transit.

Nagano has some public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Public transit is generally limited in Fez. There's a basic public transportation system with buses and a train station, but you'll likely need to take taxis if you can't walk to a destination. Taxis are affordable and abundant.

Is Nagano or Fez a more walkable city?

Fez is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Fez is a very walkable city. The medina can be explored on foot, but it's easy to get lost so allow a lot of time. There are several walking routes through the medina that are marked with colors but you'll likely find yourself wandering on and off the routes as you explore. Outside of the medina, you'll likely want to take a taxi.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is Fez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fez or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Fez?

In either Nagano or Fez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Fez than Nagano because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 3-5 days is enough time in Fez.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fez than Nagano 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 Fez.

One day in Nagano or Fez?

With museums and skiing around the scenic destination of Nagano, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Fez is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Nagano or Fez?

Many people visit Nagano for a weekend. With skiing and nightlife around the traditional city of Nagano, there's plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Fez 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 Nagano or Fez?

The destination of Nagano offers nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fez. 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 Nagano or Fez?

Nagano, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the busy big city of Fez. This city 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Fez, we can see that Nagano is more expensive. And not only is Fez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and Fez is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Fez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fez 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano than you might in Fez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nagano Expensive? and Is Fez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Fez?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Fez, 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.