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

Should you visit Nara or Katoomba?

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

Should I visit Nara or Katoomba? 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 cultural, traditional, and tranquil city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a relaxing, breathtaking , and stunning town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nara and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Katoomba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nara. Although Nara and Katoomba are popular destinations, Nara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nara is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is more touristy than Nara and is known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Nara is famous for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. It is also well known for Nara Park.

How is Nara different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nara is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nara. 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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Both Nara and Katoomba offer a number of nice 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).

Katoomba is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Nara is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nara offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Nara to see the historical old town. 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.

Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Katoomba?

Nara is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Nara is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Katoomba is a very family-friendly destination. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nara. 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.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nara and Katoomba make for a superb place to visit.

Nara is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Is Nara or Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Katoomba is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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

Nara is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Nara. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Katoomba has some public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Nara or Katoomba a more walkable city?

Nara is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Nara?

How long in Nara or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Nara or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nara than Katoomba. 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nara or Katoomba?

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.

Because Katoomba is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Katoomba?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Nara and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nara is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 27°C (80°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during summer. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Nara. In July, Nara usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nara or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Nara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

Nara is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

In the autumn, Nara often gets less sunshine than Katoombain April. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Katoomba in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. In the winter, Nara is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nara in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during winter. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nara usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nara or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nara as well as Katoomba. Many travelers come to Nara for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Nara is generally cooler than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 14°C (57°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the spring, Nara often gets less sunshine than Katoombain October. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nara usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Nara