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

Should you visit York or Nantes?

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

Should I visit York 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.

York

York is a fanciful, historic, and medieval city. 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.

York and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Nantes?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in York than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than York, York has more sights and attractions for tourists. York is better known for its historical sights, while Nantes is more popular for its shopping and impressive beauty. York is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. Also, York is famous for The Shambles. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is York different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both York and Nantes have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

York offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Many visitors head to Nantes specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 York or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both York and Nantes both to be fantastic destinations.

For foodies, York is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 York or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

York offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

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 York or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

York 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, York offers plenty to see. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

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 York or Nantes?

Nantes is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is York or Nantes Better for Families?

York is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

York is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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.

Is York or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

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 York or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York 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 York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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 York or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for students. However, York is not popular with students.

Nantes is a good city to visit for 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.

York is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Nantes is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

York has some public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Is York or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or York?

How long in York or Nantes?

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

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

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

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

One day in York or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of York. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nantes. 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 York or Nantes?

York 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.

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 York or Nantes?

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

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

A week in York or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of York. This 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.

The welcoming city of Nantes 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 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between York and Nantes, we can see that York is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, York or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of York. When comparing the sizes of York 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 York 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 York or Nantes in the Summer?

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

In July, York is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in York average around 16°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, York often gets less sunshine than Nantes. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

York usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Nantes in the Autumn?

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

York is cooler than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in York averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives less rain than Nantes. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit York or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to York 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.

York can be very cold during winter. In the winter, York is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in York in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, York often gets less sunshine than Nantes. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

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

York usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and York