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

Should you visit Nagano or Venice?

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 Venice 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 traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Venice

Venice is a historic, beautiful, and romantic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Nagano and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagano than Venice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and big city activities, while Venice is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple.

How is Nagano different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Venice Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, Venice is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Venice is not a skiing destination.

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

Venice 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 Venice are world-renowned. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Nagano or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Nagano for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Nagano or Venice Better for Resorts?

Nagano is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Venice is not a resort destination.

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

Venice is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Venice Better for its Old Town?

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

Venice has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

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 Venice Better for Hiking?

Nagano is great for hiking. However, Venice is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. 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.

Venice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Venice?

Venice 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, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Venice are superb to visit with kids.

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.

Venice is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Nagano or Venice Better for Couples?

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

Venice is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Venice is a very popular city for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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.

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

Venice is terrific 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 thorough and effecient public transit system of Venice can take you anywhere. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Venice?

Both Nagano and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Venice?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. 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 Venice?

Nagano 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.

Venice 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.

Five days in Nagano or Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the alpine destination of Nagano. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Venice. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Venice?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Nagano or Venice in the Summer?

Both Venice and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nagano is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Venice. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Venice during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Venice. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Venice in the Autumn?

Both Venice and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Venice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Venice. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Venice. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Venice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Venice. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

It's quite cold in Venice in the winter. The weather in Nagano can be very cold. Nagano is cooler than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Venice during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Venice. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Venice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Venice. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Venice for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nagano is cooler than Venice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Venice averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Venice. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Venice. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and Nagano