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

Should you visit Taormina 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 Taormina 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.

Taormina

Taormina is a exclusive, opulent, and historic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Nice

Nice is a chic, glamourous, and beautiful 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Taormina and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Nice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nice. Although Taormina and Nice are both popular with visitors, Nice has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nice is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Taormina is known for its museums and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than Taormina and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also home to The Promenade des Anglais. Taormina is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

How is Taormina different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Taormina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its resorts.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Taormina to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is a great seaside destination for the beach. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

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.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is a great seaside destination for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Nice?

Nice is a great seaside destination for its shopping areas. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Families?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is very popular for couples. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

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.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Is Taormina or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

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

Nice is a great seaside destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nice. There are both buses and trams.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Nice?

In either Taormina or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than Taormina because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

Families should spend more time in Nice than Taormina. 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 Taormina. 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 Taormina 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.

One day in Taormina or Nice?

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful seaside destination of Nice offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Taormina or Nice?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Nice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Nice?

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nice, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Taormina or Nice?

Because Taormina is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This seaside destination offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, 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 Taormina and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Taormina.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Taormina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In July, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 27°C (80°F), and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Nice. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Nice. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Taormina is a little warmer than Nice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Nice. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Nice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Nice. Many travelers come to Taormina 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.

In the winter, Taormina is a little warmer than Nice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Taormina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Nice averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 16°C (60°F), and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Nice. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Taormina