A Travel Price Comparison for France Paris vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Paris or Nice?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Paris or Nice? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Paris and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paris or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paris than Nice. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Paris is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Nice attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Paris is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also well known for The Eiffel Tower. Nice is famous for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Paris different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paris or Nice?

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Paris are among the most recognizable in the world. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Theater?

Paris is renowned for its theatre productions. However, Nice is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in Paris that are not to be missed. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Nice is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Paris and Nice.

For foodies, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

Nice has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is terrific in both Paris and Nice.

Paris is a must-see party destination. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

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.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Music?

Paris is renowned for its live music scene. However, Nice is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Paris Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Nice is not a live music destination.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Paris 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.

Paris is not a resort destination.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Paris 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.

Paris is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is great for its beaches. However, Paris is not a beach destination.

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.

Paris is not a beach destination.

Is Paris or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is great for its historic old town. However, Paris 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.

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paris or Nice?

Paris is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Paris make it a world-class shopping destination. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

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.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Christmas?

Paris is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Nice does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a world class destination during the Christmas season. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Nice does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Families?

Paris 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.

Paris is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Nice is a family-friendly city. 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 Paris or Nice Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Paris and Nice make for a terrific place to visit.

Paris makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

For those traveling as a couple, Nice 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.

Is Paris or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is renowned for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Paris. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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 Paris or Nice Better for Students?

Paris is renowned for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Paris is a very popular city for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Paris is renowned for its public transit. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Paris has a great public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

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

Is Paris or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is terrific for its walkability. Also, Paris is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Paris is a very walkable city. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Paris?

How long in Paris or Nice?

In either Paris or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than Nice because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Paris, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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

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

One day in Paris or Nice?

Paris is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Nice, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beautiful 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.

A weekend in Paris or Nice?

Paris is a fun place to experience. 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.

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.

Five days in Paris or Nice?

Paris is a iconic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A week in Paris or Nice?

Paris is a beautiful city where you can fill many days. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Nice, we can see that Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Nice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paris or Nice?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris or Nice?

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 Paris or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Paris is cooler than Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paris in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Paris usually gets more rain in July than Nice. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Nice. Most visitors come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Paris is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 13°C (56°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Nice. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paris or Nice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Nice. The winter months attract visitors to Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

The weather in Paris can be very cold. Paris is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Paris usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paris this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Paris is cooler than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paris in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Nice. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Paris