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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Heidelberg, 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 laid-back, scenic, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is known for its food, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Amsterdam is more touristy than Heidelberg and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Amsterdam different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Amsterdam is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Amsterdam has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg 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, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

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 Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Heidelberg are both great 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.

Heidelberg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg Better for Students?

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

Heidelberg is popular with students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Amsterdam is top-notch. 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.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Amsterdam or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the charming destination of Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?

Amsterdam, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively town of Heidelberg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

Amsterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Heidelberg 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Heidelberg?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. Amsterdam is cooler than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Amsterdam