A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Rotterdam for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Rotterdam?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Rotterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Rotterdam?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its museums and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Bali different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotterdam and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Rotterdam offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bali, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Resorts?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

Bali is great for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Rotterdam?

Both Bali and Rotterdam are high quality shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Rotterdam.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is very popular with students. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Rotterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Rotterdam can get you to some places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Rotterdam is a very walkable port city. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Bali?

How long in Bali or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Rotterdam. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Rotterdam. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Rotterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Rotterdam 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Rotterdam?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Rotterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Rotterdam?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the lush destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the modern big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Rotterdam?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The trendy port city of Rotterdam offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Rotterdam is in Europe, 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 Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Rotterdam, 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 Bali or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Rotterdam. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bali is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in July than Rotterdam. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. Bali is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Rotterdam. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Rotterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Bali