A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Strasbourg for Nightlife, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

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

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

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a quaint, historic, and charming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Strasbourg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Strasbourg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Strasbourg attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Amsterdam is more touristy than Strasbourg and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Strasbourg is famous for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses.

How is Amsterdam different from Strasbourg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Strasbourg.

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 Strasbourg. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

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

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

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 Strasbourg Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Strasbourg. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for live music. However, Strasbourg 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.

Strasbourg is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Strasbourg offers plenty to see. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Strasbourg and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Strasbourg. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg Better for Families?

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

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 Strasbourg Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Strasbourg are both excellent 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.

Strasbourg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Strasbourg. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg Better for Students?

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

Strasbourg is popular with students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg 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, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Public transit in Strasbourg can get you to some places easily. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

Is Amsterdam or Strasbourg a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Strasbourg is a very walkable city. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Strasbourg or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

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

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

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

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Strasbourg. 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.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

When visiting Amsterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Strasbourg. 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.

Five days in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

Amsterdam, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Strasbourg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

Amsterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Strasbourg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Strasbourg?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Strasbourg. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Strasbourg, 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 Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg in the Summer?

Both Strasbourg 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 240 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Strasbourg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Strasbourg. 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. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year.

Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Strasbourg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Strasbourg during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Strasbourg in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Strasbourg. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Strasbourg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Strasbourg averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Strasbourg in the Spring?

Both Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Strasbourg during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Strasbourg and Amsterdam