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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Seattle, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Amsterdam and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Seattle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Seattle is known for its theatre productions, food, beaches, and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Seattle and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

How is Amsterdam different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

In Amsterdam you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Seattle?

Amsterdam is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Families?

Seattle 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 Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

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 Seattle Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Amsterdam is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Amsterdam or Seattle a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Amsterdam on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Seattle?

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

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

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

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 and theater around the city of Seattle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Seattle?

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 theater and nightlife around the cultural big city of Seattle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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 live music when visiting the bustling city of Seattle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Amsterdam is in Europe and Seattle is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Seattle?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Seattle. 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Amsterdam