A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nice vs. Crete for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Nice or Crete?

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 Crete 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.

Crete

Crete is a stunning, breathtaking, and world-renowned island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nice and Crete: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Crete?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Crete than Nice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Crete is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Nice is known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Crete is popular for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also home to the Palace of Knossos.

How is Nice different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Crete is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Crete. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Nice and Crete.

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 Crete, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Crete is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Nice has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Many people head to Crete for the nightlife scene. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nice and Crete have terrific options.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Vacationers flock to Crete for its luxury resorts. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Crete is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Crete is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.

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.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Beaches?

Crete is renowned for the beache. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for the beach.

Crete is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

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.

Is Nice or Crete Better for its Old Town?

Nice is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Crete 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.

Crete does not have a historic old town.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Hiking?

Crete is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Crete is a popular spot for hiking. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Crete?

Nice is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Crete 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 Crete. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Families?

Crete is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Crete is an extremely popular island to visit for families. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, ​​Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Couples?

Both Nice and Crete are terrific destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it 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.

Crete is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Crete is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Crete is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Nice or Crete Better for Students?

Crete is a well-known place for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Crete. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

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

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

While Crete offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is Nice or Crete a more walkable city?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Crete is generally not a very walkable seaside destination. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.

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

Should I spend more time in Crete or Nice?

How long in Nice or Crete?

Both Nice and Crete have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Crete than in Nice. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Crete. 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 Crete than Nice 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 Crete.

One day in Nice or Crete?

In Nice, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this chic 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 nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Crete. 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 Nice or Crete?

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.

Crete 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 Nice or Crete?

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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Crete. This island 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 Nice or Crete?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning island of Crete. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.

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

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

Which has a larger population, Nice or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Crete, 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.