A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagasaki vs. Melbourne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nagasaki or Melbourne?

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

Should I visit Nagasaki or Melbourne? 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.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a interesting, authentic, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a friendly, cultural, and progressive city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nagasaki and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne than Nagasaki, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nagasaki is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Melbourne is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Nagasaki different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Melbourne and Nagasaki.

Nagasaki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

Many visitors head to Melbourne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Is the Food Better in Nagasaki or Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Nagasaki and Melbourne both to be high quality destinations.

Nagasaki has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nagasaki and Melbourne.

Nagasaki has a large number of nightlife venues. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

Melbourne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a very popular place for the beach. However, Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Melbourne is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Families?

Melbourne is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Melbourne. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nagasaki. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagasaki and Melbourne make for a good place to visit.

Nagasaki is a good city for couples to visit. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Melbourne is a nice destination for couples. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagasaki and Melbourne are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nagasaki. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Nagasaki is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Nagasaki is not popular with students.

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Nagasaki and Melbourne.

The public transit in Nagasaki can get you to most places easily. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Visitors to Melbourne can move around easily with public transportation. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Nagasaki or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the station.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting? and Is Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Nagasaki?

How long in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

In either Nagasaki or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Nagasaki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagasaki, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne than Nagasaki 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 Melbourne.

One day in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nagasaki. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a big city with plenty to do. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Nagasaki. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Melbourne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the interesting city of Nagasaki. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Melbourne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Melbourne, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Nagasaki is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Nagasaki and Melbourne, 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 Nagasaki or Melbourne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nagasaki has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nagasaki or Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Nagasaki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In July, Nagasaki is generally a little warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. Nagasaki usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Nagasaki gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. In July, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Nagasaki gets 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne and Nagasaki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Nagasaki is a little warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.

In the autumn, Nagasaki often gets more sunshine than Melbournein April. Nagasaki gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. Nagasaki usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Nagasaki gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagasaki and Melbourne. Many travelers come to Nagasaki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nagasaki is cooler than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagasaki in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.

Nagasaki usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Nagasaki gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Nagasaki gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Melbourne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagasaki as well as Melbourne. Many visitors come to Nagasaki in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. In the spring, Nagasaki often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Nagasaki gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nagasaki usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Nagasaki gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Nagasaki