A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Nara for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Nara?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Nara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Bali travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a tranquil, natural, and historic city. Nara is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nara travel costs.

Bali and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Nara?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bali. Although Bali and Nara are about the same size, Bali has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Nara is more popular for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Bali is more touristy than Nara and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Nara is well known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Bali different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Nara?

Nara is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Nara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Bali or Nara Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Resorts?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Nara is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Nara is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Beaches?

Bali is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Nara Better for its Old Town?

Nara is very good for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nara to see the old town. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Hiking?

You'll find great hiking in both Bali and Nara.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Nara?

Both Bali and Nara are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Is Bali or Nara More Beautiful?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Nara.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nara. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Couples?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Is Bali or Nara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Public transit in Nara can get you to some places easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Nara a more walkable city?

Nara is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Nara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nara or Bali?

How long in Bali or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bali or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Nara because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-2 days is enough time in Nara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Nara 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Bali. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nara. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Nara?

Bali is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Nara is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Bali or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the lush destination of Bali. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Nara. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural island of Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The cultural city of Nara offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Nara?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Nara, 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 Bali or Nara?

Nara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Nara in the Summer?

Both Nara and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Nara during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Nara. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Nara. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun.

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Nara. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Nara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Nara during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Nara. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Nara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Nara. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.

Bali is much warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Nara. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Bali usually gets less rain in April than Nara. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Nara and Bali