A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nara vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Nara or Surfers Paradise?

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

Should I visit Nara or Surfers Paradise? 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 natural, historic, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Nara and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Nara and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Nara is known for its historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Nara and Surfers Paradise.

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 Surfers Paradise specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a world class party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Nara is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Surfers Paradise is a great choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Nara is not a resort destination.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Surfers Paradise. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Nara has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Nara is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Surfers Paradise 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Surfers Paradise make it a world-class shopping destination. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise 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, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nara and Surfers Paradise make for a very good 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.

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Nara is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Nara or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Nara is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Nara?

How long in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

Both Nara and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Nara. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Surfers Paradise. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the natural city of Nara. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

Nara is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous destination of Surfers Paradise. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Nara or Surfers Paradise?

Nara is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ritzy city of Surfers Paradise. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Surfers Paradise?

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

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

Both Surfers Paradise and Nara during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nara is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nara often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Surfers Paradise. Many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Nara is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nara as well as Surfers Paradise. Most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nara can be very cold during winter. Nara is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the winter, Nara often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Nara usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the spring, Nara is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Nara