A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Nantes for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Porto or Nantes?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Nantes can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a welcoming, friendly, and historical city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Nantes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Porto than Nantes, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Porto is better known for its historical sights and big city activities, while Nantes is more popular for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Porto different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Porto or Nantes?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Porto or Nantes.

Many visitors head to Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Is the Food Better in Porto or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Porto and Nantes offer terrific local cuisine and restaurants.

Porto has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Porto and Nantes.

The nightlife in Porto has something for everybody. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Nantes offers plenty to do in the evening. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Porto is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Nantes?

Nantes is a great city for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Porto or Nantes.

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly port city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Nantes are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Nantes is a very popular place to visit for couples. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Students?

Porto is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Porto is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Is Porto or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto and Nantes both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Porto is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Porto or Nantes a more walkable city?

Porto and Nantes are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

Nantes is a very walkable port city. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

For even more information, also check out Is Porto Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Porto?

How long in Porto or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Porto and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Porto than in Nantes. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Nantes 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 Porto.

One day in Porto or Nantes?

Porto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city 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 Porto or Nantes?

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nantes. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Porto. This port city 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Nantes, 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 Porto or Nantes?

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 Porto or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Nantes. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Nantes. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives less rain than Nantes. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Porto is a little warmer than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Porto often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Nantes. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Porto is much warmer than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Nantes. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Nantes because of the natural beauty.

In April, Porto is generally a little warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. In the spring, Porto often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Nantes. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Porto