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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Dublin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Dublin, 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 canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Dublin

Dublin is a fun, laid-back, and friendly 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 live music. See Dublin travel costs.

Amsterdam and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Dublin?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Dublin. While Dublin is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Amsterdam is better known for its music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is more popular for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Dublin and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Amsterdam different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Dublin.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Dublin 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 Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

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 Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Amsterdam and Dublin.

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.

Dublin is a world class party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin Better for Music?

Amsterdam is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Dublin both have superb 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Dublin?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dublin 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin Better for Families?

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

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Dublin are both superb 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.

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin Better for Students?

Dublin is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Dublin is popular with students. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Amsterdam can take you anywhere. 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 Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Amsterdam or Dublin a more walkable city?

Amsterdam and Dublin both are amazing when exploring on foot.

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.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Dublin?

In either Amsterdam or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

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 nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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 live music and food around the welcoming destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly city of Dublin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Dublin?

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.

Dublin 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Dublin in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Dublin. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Dublin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Dublin averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dublin. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Dublin. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Dublin during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Dublin. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

Amsterdam is cooler than Dublin in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dublin. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Amsterdam