A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Bologna for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Amsterdam or Bologna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Bologna, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a beautiful, fun, and historical city. 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 Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Bologna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Bologna, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bologna is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Bologna and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Amsterdam different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Amsterdam is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

People head to Amsterdam just to party. 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.

Bologna has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Bologna both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

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

Bologna is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Bologna?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bologna and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 explore the shopping areas in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna Better for Families?

Bologna is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bologna. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

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 Bologna Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Amsterdam is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bologna is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an unbeatable place for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Bologna is a great destination for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Amsterdam can get you around easily. 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.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Amsterdam or Bologna a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Bologna. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Bologna. 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 Bologna 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 Bologna?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Amsterdam or Bologna?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bologna. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Bologna?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun city of Bologna. 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 Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Bologna 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Bologna?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Bologna. 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 Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bologna this time of the year. In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Bologna. 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. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bologna. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Amsterdam