A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Sao Paulo for Attractions, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Sao Paulo, 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. Many visitors also come to Amsterdam because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Amsterdam and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is more popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Sao Paulo is known for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Amsterdam different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo are among the most recognizable in the world. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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 Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

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 Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Sao Paulo is a world class party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

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 Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Amsterdam because of it's amazing beauty. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement 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 Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

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

Sao Paulo is popular with students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

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.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Is Amsterdam or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful big city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Sao Paulo 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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Amsterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Sao Paulo. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Amsterdam