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

Should you visit Utrecht or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Nantes? 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.

Utrecht

With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Utrecht and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Nantes?

Both Nantes and Utrecht have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Utrecht is better known for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes is more popular for its museums and food. Utrecht is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Utrecht different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its museums and history.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Utrecht offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

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

Nantes is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Utrecht has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Is Utrecht or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Both Utrecht and Nantes are very good when it comes to partying.

Utrecht offers plenty to do in the evening. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

Nantes has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Utrecht or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Utrecht is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Utrecht offers plenty to see. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

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 Utrecht or Nantes?

Both Utrecht and Nantes are very good shopping destinations.

Utrecht is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Nantes is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Utrecht or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Utrecht is a family-friendly . There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

Is Utrecht or Nantes Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Utrecht and Nantes make for a very good place to visit.

Utrecht is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Utrecht or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Utrecht is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Utrecht. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

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 Utrecht or Nantes Better for Students?

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

Utrecht is a great to visit as a student. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

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

Both Utrecht and Nantes offer very good public transit options.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Utrecht. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

Public transit in Nantes can get you to some places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Utrecht or Nantes a more walkable city?

Utrecht is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Utrecht. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Utrecht and Nantes. In our opinion, Utrecht has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Utrecht than Nantes. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Utrecht, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

One day in Utrecht or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Utrecht. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Utrecht or Nantes?

Utrecht is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Five days in Utrecht or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Utrecht. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nantes is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Utrecht or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Utrecht. This 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, 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 Utrecht and Nantes, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Nantes?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Nantes?

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 Utrecht or Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Utrecht during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Utrecht is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 17°C (62°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Nantes. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Utrecht is cooler than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Nantes. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Utrecht or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Utrecht can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Utrecht is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Utrecht in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In April, Utrecht is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 8°C (46°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Utrecht