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

Should you visit Cardiff or Rotterdam?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Rotterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a up-and-coming, green, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Cardiff, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cardiff is known for its impressive beauty. Cardiff is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also home to The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Cardiff different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Cardiff and Rotterdam.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. 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.

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

Rotterdam is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Rotterdam. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Rotterdam know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly port city. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Rotterdam is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Rotterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

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

Rotterdam is a great destination for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you around easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Rotterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotterdam than Cardiff. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

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

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Cardiff. 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.

Because Rotterdam 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the up-and-coming city of Cardiff. 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.

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Cardiff 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Rotterdam?

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 Cardiff or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Rotterdam. The autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In October, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Rotterdam in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. Cardiff is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Cardiff is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Cardiff