A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Arles for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Nice or Arles?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and Arles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a opulent, trendy, and chic seaside destination. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nice and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nice is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Arles is known for its museums and historical sights. Nice is more touristy than Arles and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also home to The Promenade des Anglais. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Nice different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Nice. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nice or Arles?

Arles is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nice or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Nice has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Nice or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Nice is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Resorts?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Arles is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Nice is a perfect choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Arles is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Beaches?

Nice is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Nice is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Arles?

Nice is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Families?

Nice is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nice. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Couples?

Nice is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Nice has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Arles is a great seaside destination if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Nice is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Nice or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nice. There are both buses and trams.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Nice or Arles a more walkable city?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Nice on foot is easy. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Nice?

How long in Nice or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nice or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nice than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice than Arles 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or Arles?

In Nice, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This seaside destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Nice or Arles?

Nice is a fun place to experience. In Nice, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Arles?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the trendy destination of Nice. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The charming town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Nice and Arles, we can see that Arles 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Arles?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Arles, 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 Nice or Arles?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nice or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Arles. Many visitors come to Nice in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nice is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Arles. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nice as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nice is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite rainy in Arles. Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Nice is a little warmer than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Nice usually receives more rain than Arles. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Nice during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nice is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Nice