A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nice vs. Venice for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Nice or Venice?

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 Venice 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 opulent, trendy, and chic seaside destination. Many visitors also come to Nice because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Nice travel costs.

Venice

Venice is a historic, beautiful, and romantic city. You'll find world class beauty in Venice as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Venice travel costs.

Nice and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Venice?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Venice than Nice. While Nice is larger than Venice, Venice has more sights and attractions for tourists. Venice is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Nice is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Nice is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Venice is popular for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also home to St. Mark's Basilica.

How is Nice different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Venice 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 Venice?

Venice is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Venice are among the most recognizable in the world. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nice has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Venice makes for a great culinary experience. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables. Many of the restaurants are excellent, but head into the local neighborhoods for the best options.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

People head to Nice just to party. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Venice is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Nice is a perfect 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.

Venice is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Venice is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Venice is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Beaches?

Nice is great for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.

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.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Venice is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Venice?

Venice is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Venice make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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 Nice or Venice More Beautiful?

Nice and Venice are somewhat similar when it comes to the amazing scenery.

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.

Venice is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city's beautiful canals, architecture, and gondolas make it among the most stunning and unique places to visit in the world.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Families?

Venice 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.

Venice is a very kid-friendly city. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

Both Nice and Venice are amazing destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Venice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Is Nice or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice 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.

Venice is a great city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Nice or Venice Better for Students?

Venice is renowned for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Venice is a very popular city for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Venice 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.

Venice has a great public transit system. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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

Is Nice or Venice a more walkable city?

Nice and Venice both are amazing when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Venice or Nice?

How long in Nice or Venice?

Both Nice and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Nice. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

One day in Nice or Venice?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. 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 museums and food when visiting the destination of Venice. 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.

A weekend in Nice or Venice?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Venice is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Venice. This city 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.

A week in Nice or Venice?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the chic destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural city of Venice. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Venice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Nice or Venice in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Nice is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Nice usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Venice in the Autumn?

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

In October, Nice is generally a little warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. In October, Nice usually receives more rain than Venice. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or Venice in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Venice in the winter. Nice is much warmer than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in January than Venice. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Venice in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Nice is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Venice averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In April, Nice usually receives around the same amount of rain as Venice. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Nice