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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Pompeii, 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums. See Pompeii travel costs.

Amsterdam and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Amsterdam has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amsterdam is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is known for its museums and attractions. Amsterdam is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Pompeii is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

How is Amsterdam different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

Amsterdam is a decent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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!

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Amsterdam is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for its music scene. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Pompeii is not a destination known for its beauty.

Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Pompeii is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for Families?

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

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii Better for Students?

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

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Amsterdam has a great 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.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Amsterdam or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Amsterdam and Pompeii both are terrific 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.

Pompeii is a very easy city to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Amsterdam or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Amsterdam than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

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 museums around the archeological site of Pompeii. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

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 around the famous destination of Pompeii. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

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 museums when visiting the famous archeological site of Pompeii. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii 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 Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Pompeii. 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 Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. Amsterdam is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Pompeii. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Amsterdam