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

Should you visit Nottingham or Nice?

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 Nice 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 dynamic, livable, and cultural 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, live music, and food.

Nice

Nice is a chic, glamourous, and beautiful seaside destination. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Nottingham and Nice: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


Is there more to do in Nottingham or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nice than Nottingham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nottingham attracts visitors for its museums, music, and big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Nottingham and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also well known for The Promenade des Anglais. Nottingham is famous for its authenticity and local cuisine.

How is Nottingham different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nottingham
Nice

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

Nottingham offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Nottingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is very popular for nightlife. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Nice is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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 Nottingham has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Music?

Nottingham
Nice

Nottingham is a city with good options for its live music scene. However, Nice is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Nottingham. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Nice is not a live music destination.


Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is very popular for its resorts. However, Nottingham is not a resort destination.

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.

Nottingham is not a resort destination.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nottingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Nottingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is well known for its beaches. However, Nottingham is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. 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.

Nottingham is not a beach destination.


Is Nottingham or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nottingham
Nice

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

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Nice?

Nottingham
Nice

Shopping is a popular activity in both Nice and Nottingham.

Nottingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Nice is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Families?

Nottingham
Nice

Both Nottingham and Nice are nice 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.

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

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is very popular for romance. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Nottingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Nottingham or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Nottingham
Nice

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Nottingham and Nice.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

Public transit in Nice can get you to some places easily. There are both buses and trams.


Is Nottingham or Nice a more walkable city?

Nottingham
Nice

Nice is very popular for its walkability. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Nottingham is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Nice?

In either Nottingham or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than Nottingham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nottingham, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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


  • How many days in Nottingham or Nice? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nottingham 1-2 
    Nice 3-5

One day in Nottingham or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Nottingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With shopping and nightlife around the chic seaside destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nottingham or Nice?

Nottingham 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.


Five days in Nottingham or Nice?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Nottingham. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nice, a popular seaside destination, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Nice?

The livable city of Nottingham offers shopping and museums. 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.

Nice 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Nice or Nottingham?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nottingham is £117, while the average daily cost in Nice is £112. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nottingham and Nice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nottingham £64
    Nice £51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nottingham £128
    Nice £102
Compare Hotels in Nottingham and Nice

Looking for a hotel in Nottingham or Nice? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nottingham


Hotels in Nice


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nottingham Hotel Prices and Nice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nottingham £21
    Nice £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nottingham

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nottingham:

  • East Midlands Airport EMA to Loughborough City Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Loughborough to East Midlands Airport: $35
  • Derby to East Midlands Airport (EMA) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • East Midlands Airport EMA to Nottingham City Private Transfer: $38
  • Nottingham to East Midlands Airport Private Departure Transfer: $38
  • Private East Midlands Departure Transfer- Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $55
  • East Midlands Airport EMA to Leicester-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $76
  • East Midlands Airport to Nottingham City Private Transfer: $76
  • Private Transfer from Glossop to Manchester Airport (MAN): $80
  • Private Nottingham Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $97
  • Nottinghamshire to Manchester Airport (MAN) Luxury Transfers: $210
  • Private Transfer from Nottingham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $224

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
  • Arrival Transfer from Nice Airport NCE to Nice city by Sedan: $59
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Cannes in Luxury Van: $116
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Monaco in Business Car: $109
  • Cruise Port Hercule to Monaco hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Day Trip / transfer to and from aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur: $92
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $109
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $130
  • Departure Transfer: Villefranche Port to Nice Airport: $53
  • Ferry Transfer to Sainte Marguerite Island from Nice: $56
  • From Nice Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Monaco: $150
  • From Nice Airport: Private Transfer to Cannes: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Nottingham or Nice?

Prices for flights to both Nice and Nottingham change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nottingham £36
    Nice £42

Typical Food Prices in Nice

Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:


  • Slushee
    £2.14
  • Strawberries
    £3.42
  • Loaf of Bread
    £2.74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.

  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
  • Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
  • The Flavors of Nice Food Tour: $103
  • Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Nice Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
  • 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $107
  • Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $112
  • PRIVATE Award-Winning Nice Food Tour: 6 or 10 Tastings: $112
  • Food Tour + Wine Pairing Lunch with a local Sommelier: $133
  • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
  • Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nottingham £28
    Nice £10

Tours and Activities in Nottingham

Here are a few actual costs in Nottingham for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Stamford Town Guided Tours: $13
  • Nottingham Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $17
  • Nottingham Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $18
  • Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz Tour App: $19
  • Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham Guided Tour: $25
  • Baroness Bolsover's Town Tour with Afternoon Tea: $32
  • Whatsapp Murder Mystery Interactive City Tour: $74
  • Private Immersive Play Wall Experience in Nottingham: $89
  • Half-Day Spa Experiences : $103
  • Stamford and Oakham Private Tour: $114
  • Lincoln Private Walking Tour: $140
  • Private City Walking Tour: $144

Tours and Activities in Nice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:

  • Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.42
  • Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nottingham £7.10
    Nice £14

Sample the Local Flavors in Nottingham

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nottingham:

  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47

Sample the Local Flavors in Nice

Also in Nice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $5.99
  • Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
  • Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $17
  • Nice : Guided Pub / Bar Crawl with Shots and Nightclub Entry: $21
  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $23
  • Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $52
  • New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $53
  • Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $65
  • Wine Tasting: Tour de France in Nice City Centre: $74
  • Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $84


When comparing the travel costs between Nottingham and Nice, we can see that Nottingham 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 Nice Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Nottingham. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham and Nice, 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 Nice?

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 Nice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Nice. The summer months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In the summer, Nottingham is cooler than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nottingham in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Nottingham usually receives more rain than Nice. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nottingham 16°C (62°F) 
    Nice 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Nottingham or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Nice. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Nottingham this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nottingham is generally much colder than Nice. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. Nottingham usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nottingham 11°C (52°F) 
    Nice 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Nottingham or Nice in the Winter?

Both Nice and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nottingham. Nottingham is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Nice. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nottingham 4°C (39°F) 
    Nice 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Nottingham or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Nottingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Nottingham is much colder than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nottingham in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nottingham 8°C (46°F) 
    Nice 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Nice and Nottingham

Nottingham Nice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 16°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)