A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nantes vs. Lake Garda for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Nantes or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Lake Garda, 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 vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a playful, fun, and energetic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Nantes and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Lake Garda has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lake Garda is more popular for its beaches and hiking, while Nantes is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Lake Garda is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also home to Sirmione. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Nantes is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nantes and Lake Garda.

Nantes has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Lake Garda is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a popular place for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nantes. 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Lake Garda?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Nantes is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Nantes and Lake Garda are both very good 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 Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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 Lake Garda Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Nantes and Lake Garda.

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

Visitors to Lake Garda can move around easily with public transportation. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Nantes or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Nantes and Lake Garda are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Nantes or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nantes than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Nantes or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Nantes, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Nantes or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nantes, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Nantes, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. 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.

A week in Nantes or Lake Garda?

Nantes is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Lake Garda. This lake 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.

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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Nantes or Lake Garda?

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 Nantes or Lake Garda in the Summer?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Nantes during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Nantes is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lake Garda. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Lake Garda in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. In the winter, Nantes is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Lake Garda. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Nantes