A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nara vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Nara or Canberra?

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

Should I visit Nara or Canberra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nara

Nara is a traditional, tranquil, and natural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nara and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Canberra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Canberra than Nara, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Canberra is better known for its food and big city activities, while Nara is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Nara is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Nara different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra and Nara. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nara or Canberra?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Nara and Canberra.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Many visitors head to Canberra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Is the Food Better in Nara or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Canberra. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nara. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Canberra?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Nara is well-known for its shopping. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nara or Canberra.

Nara is a very kid-friendly city. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Canberra. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Couples?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nara is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nara. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is notable for students. However, Nara is not popular with students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Nara is not popular with students.

Is Nara or Canberra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Nara has some very good public transit options. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Nara or Canberra a more walkable city?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Nara Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Nara?

How long in Nara or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nara and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Canberra than in Nara. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nara than Canberra 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 Nara.

One day in Nara or Canberra?

The city of Nara offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Canberra. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nara or Canberra?

Nara is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nara or Canberra?

Nara is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Canberra. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nara or Canberra?

Nara is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

The diverse city of Canberra offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nara and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Nara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nara is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nara 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Nara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nara Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nara or Canberra?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Nara and Canberra, 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 Nara or Canberra?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nara has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nara or Canberra in the Summer?

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

Nara is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Canberra in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nara is around the same temperature as Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nara in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Canberrain April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Canberra in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Nara is generally much colder than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 4°C (40°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Nara usually gets more rain in January than Canberrain July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Canberra in the Spring?

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

Nara is around the same temperature as Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Nara