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

Should you visit Nice or Oslo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and Oslo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty in Nice as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food. See Nice travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife. See Oslo travel costs.

Nice and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nice than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Nice, Nice has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Oslo attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Nice is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also well known for The Promenade des Anglais. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Nice different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nice has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Resorts?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its resorts. However, Oslo is not a resort destination.

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Oslo is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Nice is notable for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nice. 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.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Nice is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Nice to see the historical old town. 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Oslo?

Nice is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Nice is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Nice or Oslo More Beautiful?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Nice as well. A premiere destination in the French Riviera, this town is known for it's luxury, glitz, charm, and personality.

Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is renowned 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.

Oslo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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 Nice or Oslo Better for Couples?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nice and Oslo are nice destinations for backpackers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Nice or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a well-known place for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

Is Nice or Oslo a more walkable city?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Oslo is a very walkable seaside destination. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Nice?

How long in Nice or Oslo?

In either Nice or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Nice has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nice than Oslo. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice than Oslo 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Nice. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or Oslo?

Nice 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.

Oslo 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 Nice or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Nice. This seaside destination offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Oslo is a park-filled big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Nice or Oslo?

The opulent seaside destination of Nice offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The progressive city of Oslo offers museums and nightlife. 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 in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nice and Oslo, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Oslo.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Oslo, 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 Nice or Oslo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nice or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nice is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 23°C (73°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Oslo. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Nice during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Nice is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. Nice usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Oslo. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. In the winter, Nice is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nice in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In January, Nice usually receives more rain than Oslo. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nice as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Nice is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 13°C (56°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Nice