A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Calais for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Nice or Calais?

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 Calais 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 beautiful, opulent, and trendy 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Nice and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than Calais, 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, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Calais is known for its museums and big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Nice different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Calais is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Nice is a world class party destination. 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Resorts?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great 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.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Beaches?

Nice is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Nice is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Nice or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Nice is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Calais?

Nice is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Families?

Both Nice and Calais 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.

Calais is a family-friendly seaside destination. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Couples?

Nice is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Nice or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nice. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

Nice is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais 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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Nice or Calais a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Nice?

How long in Nice or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nice and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than in Calais. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or Calais?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous destination of Nice. This seaside destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The coastal city of Calais offers nightlife and food. 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 Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nice or Calais?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Calais. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nice is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Calais. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Calais in the Autumn?

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

In October, Nice is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Calais in the Winter?

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

The weather in Calais can be very cold. Nice is much warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In January, Nice usually receives more rain than Calais. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Calais in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Nice is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Nice