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

Should you visit Nagano or Nice?

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 Nice 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 alpine, scenic, and historic 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Nice

Nice is a chic, glamourous, and beautiful seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Nagano and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Nice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Nice are roughly the same size, Nagano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, museums, hiking, and big city activities, while Nice is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is more touristy than Nagano and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Nagano is well 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.

How is Nagano different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Nice Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Nice is not a skiing destination.

People head to Nagano specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. 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.

Nice is not a skiing destination.

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

Nagano 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 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice 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 Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

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 Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Nagano or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Is Nagano or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nagano or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is a great seaside destination for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. 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.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is a great seaside destination for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

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 Nice Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Nagano is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Nice?

Nice is a great seaside destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Nice is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Nice Better for Families?

Nagano 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.

Nagano is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

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 Nagano or Nice Better for Couples?

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

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

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 Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Nice are notable places to visit.

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

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 Nagano or Nice Better for Students?

Nagano is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is a great seaside destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

Nagano has a few 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. .

Is Nagano or Nice a more walkable city?

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

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Nice?

In either Nagano or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nice 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 Nice.

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Nagano. 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 Nice 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 Nice.

One day in Nagano or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Nagano or Nice?

Nagano is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Nagano or Nice?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Nagano. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Nagano or Nice?

The alpine city of Nagano offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 opulent 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, 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 Nagano and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and Nice is in Europe, 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 Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice than you might in Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Nice?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Nice?

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 Nagano or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Nagano during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Nice in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Nice. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Nice. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nagano is around the same temperature as Nice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Nice averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Nice. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Nice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Nice. Many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Nice. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Nice. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Nagano is cooler than Nice in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Nice. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Nagano