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

Should you visit Nantes or Venice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Venice, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Nantes and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Venice. Although Nantes and Venice are popular destinations, Venice has more sights and attractions for tourists. Venice is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. Venice is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also well known for St. Mark's Basilica. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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, Venice has many famous sights for visitors. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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).

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Nantes or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Nantes for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Nantes or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice 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, Venice offers plenty to see. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

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 Venice?

Venice 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 Venice specifically to go shopping. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Venice Better for Families?

Nantes and Venice 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.

Venice is a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Nantes or Venice Better for Couples?

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

Venice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice 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 Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

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

Venice is a great destination for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice 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 Venice can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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 Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Venice?

Both Nantes and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Nantes. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

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

One day in Nantes or Venice?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nantes or Venice?

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.

Venice 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 Venice?

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 Venice. 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 Venice?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the magical destination of Venice. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Venice?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Venice. Most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Venice because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Venice 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 Venice during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives less rain than Venice. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Venice. 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 Venice this time of year.

In the autumn, Nantes is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Venice averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in October than Venice. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Venice in the Winter?

Both Venice and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Venice. In January, Nantes is generally much warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Venice during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Venice. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Nantes during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Venice in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Venice. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Venice. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and Nantes