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

Should you visit Nara or Dunedin?

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

Should I visit Nara or Dunedin? 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a cultural, vibrant, and small city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nara and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Dunedin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nara than Dunedin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nara is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Dunedin is known for its beaches. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. It is also home to Nara Park. Dunedin is popular for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula.

How is Nara different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Dunedin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

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

Both Nara and Dunedin offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nara. 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).

Dunedin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Nara and Dunedin.

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

Dunedin has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Dunedin is a popular place for the beache. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Dunedin is a good option for a beach vacation. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for its Old Town?

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

Nara offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Dunedin does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Nara is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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 Dunedin. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Dunedin?

Both Nara and Dunedin are high quality shopping destinations.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 explore the shopping areas in Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nara or Dunedin.

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 Dunedin. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Nara is well known for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dunedin is notable for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dunedin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

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

Is Nara or Dunedin Better for Students?

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

Dunedin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Nara is not popular with students.

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

Nara is well known for its public transit. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Nara can get you to most places easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

While Dunedin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Nara or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Nara and Dunedin both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Dunedin is a very walkable destination. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Nara?

How long in Nara or Dunedin?

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

Couples should spend more time in Nara than Dunedin. 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 Dunedin than Nara 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 Dunedin.

One day in Nara or Dunedin?

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dunedin. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nara or Dunedin?

In Nara, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nara has to offer.

Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

Nara is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the small destination of Dunedin. 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 Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The cultural city of Dunedin 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Dunedin?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dunedin. When comparing the sizes of Nara and Dunedin, 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.