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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Munich?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Munich, 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. 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.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Amsterdam and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Munich?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Munich. While Munich is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Amsterdam is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Munich is known for its food and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Munich and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

How is Amsterdam different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Munich 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 Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Munich is a world class party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Is Amsterdam or Munich Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Amsterdam or Munich.

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.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Is Amsterdam or Munich Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Munich?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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.

Is Amsterdam or Munich Better for Families?

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

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Munich 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.

Munich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Amsterdam or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam and Munich are amazing places to visit 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.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Is Amsterdam or Munich Better for Students?

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

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Amsterdam and Munich.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Is Amsterdam or Munich a more walkable city?

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

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Munich?

In either Amsterdam or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than Munich 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 Munich.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Amsterdam 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 Munich.

One day in Amsterdam or Munich?

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 Munich. 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 Munich?

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 multicultural big city of Munich. 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 Munich?

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 economically thriving city of Munich. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Munich?

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.

Munich 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich 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 Munich this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Munich. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Munich during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich 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. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Munich. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Munich. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Munich in the Winter?

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

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Munich. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Munich in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Munich. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Amsterdam