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

Should you visit Nice or Avignon?

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 Avignon 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 glamourous, beautiful, and opulent seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Avignon

Avignon is a historical, quaint, and charming town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Nice and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Avignon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than Avignon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nice is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Avignon is known for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than Avignon and is popular 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. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Nice different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at fantastic restaurants in both Nice and Avignon.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Nice is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Nice is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Resorts?

Nice is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Avignon is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Nice for its luxury resorts. 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.

Avignon is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Beaches?

Nice is a very popular place for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Nice for it's beautiful 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon 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 Avignon is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 Avignon?

Nice is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Families?

Both Nice and Avignon are good to visit with kids.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Avignon is a family-friendly seaside destination. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Couples?

Nice is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Nice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Nice or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nice and Avignon are good destinations for backpackers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

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

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

The public transit in Nice can get you to most places easily. There are both buses and trams.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Nice or Avignon a more walkable city?

Nice and Avignon both are fantastic when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Avignon. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Nice?

How long in Nice or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nice or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nice than Avignon 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 Avignon.

Families should spend more time in Nice than Avignon. 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 Avignon. 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 Avignon 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 Avignon?

In Nice, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This seaside destination offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Avignon is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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 Avignon?

In Nice, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Avignon is a fun place to experience. 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 Avignon?

Nice is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nice has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Nice. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Because Avignon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nice and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Nice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nice 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Nice.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Avignon?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Avignon, 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 Avignon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nice or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Nice during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Nice usually gets less rain in July than Avignon. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Avignon. Many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nice usually receives less rain than Avignon. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nice as well as Avignon. Many visitors come to Nice in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

Nice usually gets more rain in January than Avignon. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm.

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

In April, Nice usually receives more rain than Avignon. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Nice