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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Toulon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Toulon, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Amsterdam and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Toulon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulon attracts visitors for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Amsterdam is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Amsterdam different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Amsterdam is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Amsterdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Toulon is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Toulon. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

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 Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Toulon is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is a world class music destination. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Toulon is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for Beaches?

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

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Toulon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Toulon 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for Families?

Toulon 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 Toulon. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

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 Toulon Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a mecca for backpackers and 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Amsterdam or Toulon a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of 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.

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Amsterdam or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Amsterdam than Toulon 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 Toulon.

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

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

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 shopping and museums around the port city of Toulon. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toulon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Toulon?

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 museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Toulon. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Toulon?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the industrial port city of Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Toulon?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Toulon. 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 Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Toulon. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Toulon. 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. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Amsterdam is much colder than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is much colder than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Toulon. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Toulon. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Amsterdam