A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Nagasaki for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ubud or Nagasaki?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Nagasaki. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ubud

Ubud is a breathtaking, popular, and famous town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Ubud travel costs.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a authentic, welcoming, and interesting city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nagasaki travel costs.

Ubud and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagasaki. Although Ubud and Nagasaki are popular destinations, Nagasaki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagasaki is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ubud attracts visitors for its food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Nagasaki and is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Nagasaki is famous for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. It is also well known for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.

How is Ubud different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ubud or Nagasaki?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Ubud or Nagasaki.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

Nagasaki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

Is the Food Better in Ubud or Nagasaki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Ubud is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nagasaki makes for a great culinary experience. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

Nagasaki is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Nagasaki know how to have a good time. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

If you're looking for night time activities Ubud has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Resorts?

Ubud is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Nagasaki is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Ubud is a great choice. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Nagasaki is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Hiking?

Ubud is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Ubud. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Ubud is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki More Beautiful?

Ubud is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Nagasaki is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Nagasaki is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Both Ubud and Nagasaki are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ubud. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Nagasaki offers lots of family activities. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

Ubud is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Ubud makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

Nagasaki is a nice destination for couples. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Ubud. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Nagasaki is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagasaki is a great destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Nagasaki offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Nagasaki a more walkable city?

Ubud is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the station.

For even more information, also check out Is Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ubud and Nagasaki. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than in Nagasaki. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagasaki.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ubud than Nagasaki 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 Ubud.

One day in Ubud or Nagasaki?

The town of Ubud offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagasaki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Ubud 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.

Nagasaki 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.

Five days in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Ubud is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ubud, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Ubud or Nagasaki?

Ubud is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ubud has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

The interesting city of Nagasaki offers nightlife and food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Nagasaki?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Nagasaki, 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.