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

Should you visit Nara or Picton?

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

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

Picton

Picton is a scenic, quaint, and relaxing town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nara and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nara. Although Nara and Picton are both popular with visitors, Nara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nara is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Picton is known for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Picton is more touristy than Nara and is known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. 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.

How is Nara different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nara is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton 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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Picton 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 Picton. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

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 Picton Better for Nightlife?

Nara is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Nara or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is notable for the beache. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Picton Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Picton 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.

Picton does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Picton Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Nara and Picton both have superb trails.

Nara is a popular spot for hiking. 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 visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Picton?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nara. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Nara or Picton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nara or Picton.

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 Picton. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Nara or Picton Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nara and Picton 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.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Nara or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Picton is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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

Nara is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Nara or Picton a more walkable city?

Nara and Picton both are superb 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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Nara?

How long in Nara or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nara or Picton to fill your time. In our opinion, Nara has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nara than Picton. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Nara or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Picton. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nara or Picton?

Nara 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.

Picton is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the scenic destination of Picton. 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Nara. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The relaxing town of Picton offers museums and food. 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 from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nara and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Nara is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Picton?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Nara and Picton, 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 Picton?

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

Both Picton 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 Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nara is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Nara. In July, Nara usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nara or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton 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, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In October, Nara is generally a little warmer than Pictonin April. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Picton in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. Nara is much colder than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Nara usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nara or Picton in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Nara is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nara usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Nara