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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Calais, 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 scenic, historic, and canal-lined 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Amsterdam and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its food and beaches. Amsterdam is more touristy than Calais and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Amsterdam different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Amsterdam is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Calais is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

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 Calais Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Amsterdam or Calais Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amsterdam. 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Calais?

Amsterdam is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Amsterdam or Calais Better for Families?

Calais 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 Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Amsterdam or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Amsterdam or Calais a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Calais?

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

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

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

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.

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

A weekend in Amsterdam or Calais?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Calais. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Calais?

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.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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 France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Calais?

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

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Calais. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Calais. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Amsterdam is much colder than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Calais. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Calais. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Amsterdam