A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nantes vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nantes or Pompeii?

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

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

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

Nantes and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Pompeii?

Both Pompeii and Nantes have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Nantes is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii attracts visitors for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nantes. 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.

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

Nantes is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Nantes or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Nantes has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Nantes or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Pompeii?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Nantes or Pompeii Better for Families?

Nantes and Pompeii are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Nantes or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Nantes or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

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 Pompeii Better for Students?

Both Nantes and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

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

Nantes offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Nantes or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantes or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantes than Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

Couples should spend more time in Nantes than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

One day in Nantes or Pompeii?

In Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nantes or Pompeii?

In Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Pompeii?

Nantes is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pompeii. Don't miss the museums, 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.

A week in Nantes or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the famous destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Nantes or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Nantes during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

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

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Nantes usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Nantes