A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Wellington or Nice?

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

Should I visit Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Wellington and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Nice?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nice than Wellington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nice is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wellington is more popular for its museums and hiking. Nice is more touristy than Wellington and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Also, Nice is famous for The Promenade des Anglais. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Wellington different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nice is a world class party destination. 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.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Wellington and Nice are excellent choices.

Wellington is considered a top beach destination. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Nice is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is a very popular place for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Nice?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Wellington and Nice.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Wellington or Nice Better for Families?

Wellington is a well-known place 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.

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Wellington or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington or Nice Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Wellington is a good city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Wellington and Nice.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The public transit in Nice can get you to most places easily. There are both buses and trams.

Is Wellington or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Nice?

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

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Wellington. 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 Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Nice?

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

With shopping and nightlife around the beautiful seaside destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Nice?

Wellington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wellington or Nice?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Wellington. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nice, a popular seaside destination, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Nice?

The laid-back city of Wellington offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 Wellington and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Nice is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Nice?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Nice?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nice has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Nice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Nice. Many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Wellington is cooler than Nice in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Nicein July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Nice in the Autumn?

Both Nice and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Wellington is cooler than Nice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Nice averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Nicein October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Nice in the Winter?

Both Nice and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In July, Wellington is generally around the same temperature as Nicein January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Nicein January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Nice in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Nice. The beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Wellington is around the same temperature as Nice in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F)in April.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Nicein April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Wellington