A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nantes vs. Girona for Food, Old Town, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Nantes or Girona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Girona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Nantes and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nantes than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nantes is more popular for its food and nightlife, while Girona is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also home to The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Nantes different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nantes or Girona?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Girona and Nantes.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Girona. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Nantes or Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Nantes offers plenty to do in the evening. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Girona offers plenty to see. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Girona?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Nantes and Girona.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Girona is an extremely popular place for shoppers. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Families?

Nantes is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Couples?

Nantes and Girona are both great to visit as a couple.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Couples visit Girona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Girona is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Students?

Both Nantes and Girona are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Girona is popular with students. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Is Nantes or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantes is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Nantes can get you to some places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Nantes or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

For even more information, also check out Is Nantes Worth Visiting? and Is Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Girona?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Girona than Nantes 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 Girona.

One day in Nantes or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nantes. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nantes or Girona?

Nantes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Girona 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 Nantes or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Girona. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Nantes or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Nantes. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Girona. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Girona?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Girona, 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 Nantes or Girona?

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 Nantes or Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nantes is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In the summer, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Girona. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Nantes is cooler than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nantes usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantes or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Nantes during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Girona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nantes is cooler than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Girona. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Girona. The spring months attract visitors to Nantes because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In April, Nantes is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Girona during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives less rain than Girona. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Nantes