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

Should you visit Nantes or Naples?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Naples, 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 friendly, historical, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Naples?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is very popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Nantes different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Naples 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 Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Nantes and Naples 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 Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is Nantes or Naples Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nantes and Naples.

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.

Naples is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Nantes or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

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 Naples?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Nantes and Naples.

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.

Naples is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Nantes or Naples Better for Families?

Nantes is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is known to be 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Nantes or Naples Better for Couples?

Nantes and Naples are both superb 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 Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Nantes or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples 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 Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

Both Nantes and Naples are nice 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.

Naples is popular with students. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Nantes and Naples.

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 Naples can move around easily with public transportation. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Nantes or Naples a more walkable city?

Nantes and Naples are superb 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.

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nantes and Naples. In our opinion, Naples has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Naples than Nantes. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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

One day in Nantes or Naples?

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.

Naples 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 Naples?

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.

Naples 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.

Five days in Nantes or Naples?

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 Naples. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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 colorful big city of Naples. 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 in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Nantes during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nantes because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

Nantes is cooler than Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nantes. In the summer, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Naples. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Naples. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nantes is cooler than Naples. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Naples averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nantes usually receives less rain than Naples. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantes or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Naples. Many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nantes is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Naples. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Nantes usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nantes in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

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

Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives less rain than Naples. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Nantes