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

Should you visit Nantes or Milan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Milan, 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 historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milan

Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Milan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Milan than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Nantes different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Milan 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 Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Nantes and Milan can be an enjoyable experience.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Many restaurants in Milan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Milan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

Milan has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan 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, Milan offers plenty to see. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

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 Milan?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Milan specifically to go shopping. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for Families?

Nantes is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for Couples?

Nantes and Milan are both high quality 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 Milan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Nantes or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Milan is a great destination for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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

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

Milan is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in Milan can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Visitors to Nantes can move around easily with public transportation. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Nantes or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan 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 Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Milan?

In either Nantes or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Nantes because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

One day in Nantes or Milan?

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan 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 Milan?

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nantes. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. 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 Nantes or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the chic big city of Milan. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Milan. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nantes is cooler than Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milan this time of the year. In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Milan during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives less rain than Milan. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Milan. Many travelers come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nantes is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Milan. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Milan. Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nantes in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Milan can be very cold during winter. In January, Nantes is generally a little warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Milan. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Nantes during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nantes for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Milan because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Nantes is cooler than Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milan. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Nantes