A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nottingham vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a cultural, authentic, and dynamic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Nottingham and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nottingham than Calais. Nottingham is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nottingham is better known for its music and shopping, while Calais is more popular for its beaches. Nottingham is more touristy than Calais and is known for its authenticity and local cuisine. Also, Nottingham is famous for Old Market Square. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Nottingham different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nottingham or Calais?

Both Nottingham and Calais have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Nottingham is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

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.

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

Both Nottingham and Calais offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Nottingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Calais has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Nottingham or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Nottingham and Calais.

Nottingham has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

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 Nottingham or Calais Better for Music?

Nottingham is a popular place for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Nottingham is active and vibrant. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Nottingham or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Nottingham is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. 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.

Nottingham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Calais?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

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 Nottingham or Calais Better for Families?

Both Nottingham and Calais are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nottingham. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Calais offers lots of family activities. 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 Nottingham or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Nottingham and Calais are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nottingham is a nice destination for couples. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Nottingham or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

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 Nottingham or Calais a more walkable city?

Nottingham is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Nottingham is a very walkable destination. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nottingham and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Nottingham. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nottingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Nottingham 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 Calais.

One day in Nottingham or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nottingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the undiscovered city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Nottingham or Calais?

Nottingham 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Calais, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Nottingham or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nottingham. 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.

Calais, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the dynamic destination of Nottingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Nottingham 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 Nottingham Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Calais?

Nottingham has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the city activities, the music scene, 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 July, Nottingham is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 16°C (62°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Nottingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nottingham usually receives more rain than Calais. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nottingham or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Nottingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Nottingham is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Nottingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Nottingham gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in October than Calais. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Calais. Most visitors come to Nottingham for the museums, 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. Nottingham can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nottingham is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nottingham in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Nottingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Nottingham gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nottingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nottingham or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Calais. The spring months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In April, Nottingham is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 8°C (46°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Nottingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Nottingham gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Nottingham