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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Annecy?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Annecy, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a historic, canal-lined, and party-oriented city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Amsterdam and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Annecy, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amsterdam is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Annecy is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Amsterdam is well known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Annecy is well known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting.

How is Amsterdam different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Amsterdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Annecy is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for its live music scene. However, Annecy is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Annecy is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Annecy offers plenty to see. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Amsterdam is well-known for its shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly alpine town. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Amsterdam has a great public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Amsterdam or Annecy a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its ease of walking around.

Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Amsterdam or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Amsterdam due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Annecy 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this alpine town has to offer. This alpine town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. 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.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and Annecy, we can see that Annecy 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Annecy?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Annecy, 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 Amsterdam or Annecy?

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 Amsterdam or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Amsterdam is cooler than Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Annecy. The autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Annecy. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Amsterdam is much colder than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Annecy. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Amsterdam