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

Should you visit Nantes or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Siena, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Siena?

Both Siena and Nantes have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Nantes is better known for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Siena is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Nantes is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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).

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Nantes or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Nantes or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena 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, Siena offers plenty to see. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena?

Nantes is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Nantes or Siena Better for Families?

Nantes is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Nantes or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Nantes or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena 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 Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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 Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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 Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantes is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena 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 is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Nantes or Siena a more walkable city?

Nantes and Siena are excellent 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.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Siena?

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

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

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

One day in Nantes or Siena?

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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 Siena. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the welcoming 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 shopping and museums when visiting the history destination of Siena. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Siena?

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

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 Siena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Siena. Most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Siena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nantes is cooler than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nantes in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In the summer, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Siena. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Siena. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In October, Nantes is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 13°C (56°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nantes usually receives less rain than Siena. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantes or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Nantes during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nantes is cooler than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Siena. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in January than Siena. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Siena. Many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nantes is cooler than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nantes in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives less rain than Siena. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Nantes