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

Should you visit Nara or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Nara or Sydney? 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Nara and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Sydney?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Nara, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nara is known for its historical sights. Sydney is more touristy than Nara and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Many visitors head to Nara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Sydney 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 Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

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 Sydney Better for Nightlife?

Sydney 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.

Sydney is a world class party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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 Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nara or Sydney Better for Beaches?

Sydney 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 Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Sydney Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Sydney Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Nara and Sydney both have very good 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 Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Sydney?

Sydney 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 Sydney make it a world-class shopping destination. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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 Sydney Better for Families?

Sydney 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, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney Better for Couples?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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.

Is Nara or Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney 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 Sydney. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage 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 Sydney Better for Students?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for students. However, Nara is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Nara is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Sydney has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Nara offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Is Nara or Sydney a more walkable city?

Nara and Sydney both are very good 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.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Nara?

How long in Nara or Sydney?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney 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 Sydney.

One day in Nara or Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a glamorous big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Sydney?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the natural 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.

Sydney is a outdoorsy city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara and Sydney, 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 Sydney?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Sydney. Many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nara is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nara usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nara or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nara as well as Sydney. Many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Nara is generally around the same temperature as Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nara can be very cold during winter. Nara is much colder than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during winter. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nara usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nara or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Nara during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In the spring, Nara is cooler than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nara often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Nara