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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Le Mans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Le Mans, 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the nightlife and museums.

Amsterdam and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Le Mans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Le Mans. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans attracts visitors for its small town charm. Amsterdam is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Amsterdam different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Amsterdam is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Amsterdam and Le Mans can be an enjoyable experience.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Amsterdam. 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!

Le Mans may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for live music. However, Le Mans is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is known as a music capital 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.

Le Mans is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is great for its historic old town. However, Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Le Mans?

Amsterdam is great for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans Better for Families?

Le Mans 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 Le Mans. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

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 Le Mans Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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.

Le Mans has a few public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Amsterdam or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of 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.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Le Mans?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 nightlife and museums around the town of Le Mans. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Le Mans has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Le Mans?

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 historic destination of Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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 museums when visiting the small town of Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Le Mans?

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

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

Both Le Mans and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Le Mans because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Le Mans. 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 small town atmosphere are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

Amsterdam is cooler than Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Le Mans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Le Mans. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Le Mans. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is much colder than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Amsterdam