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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Arles, 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Arles is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Amsterdam is more touristy than Arles and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Amsterdam different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. 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.

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

Arles is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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 Arles Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Amsterdam or Arles Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In Amsterdam you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles 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, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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 the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Arles?

Amsterdam is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Amsterdam. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Amsterdam or Arles Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Amsterdam or Arles as a family destination.

Amsterdam doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Amsterdam or Arles Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Arles are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Arles is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Amsterdam or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a very popular city to visit 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive 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.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Amsterdam or Arles a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Arles?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Arles 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 Arles?

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Arles?

Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Arles. 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 museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Arles 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Arles?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Amsterdam or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Arles. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Arles. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Arles in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. Amsterdam is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Arles. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Arles. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Amsterdam