A Travel Price Comparison for Netherlands Delft vs. Amsterdam for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Old Town

Should you visit Delft or Amsterdam?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Delft and Amsterdam can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Delft

Delft is a historic, quaint, and charming town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Delft travel costs.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Delft and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Delft or Amsterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Delft. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Delft attracts visitors for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Delft and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Delft is famous for its charming canals, cobblestone streets, and blue and white ceramic pottery.

How is Delft different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Delft or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. 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.

Delft offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums that highlight the culture and history of the area. The Vermeer Center offers an immersive experience into the life and work of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the city. The Royal Delft Factory teaches visitors about the city's iconic blue-and-white pottery. The Delft Museum of Technology and the Old Church also provide insight into the city's engineering, cultural, and religious history.

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

Delft 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 Delft. There are several local dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or a frikandel (a Dutch snack). The town has countless casual eateries and cozy cafes where you can enjoy pastries, coffee, and Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken). There's also a selection of international restaurants around town that serve Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Local markets and street food stalls provide affordable options, such as fresh herring or delicious Dutch cheese.

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 Delft or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for nightlife. However, Delft is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. 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.

Delft is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It has a low-key and relaxed nightlife scene with a variety of cozy pubs, bars, and cafes, many of which are located along the scenic canals.

Is Delft or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Delft 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.

Delft is not a live music destination.

Is Delft or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Both Delft and Amsterdam have high quality historic old towns worth visiting.

Delft is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The city's old town is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets. The heart of the old town is centered around the Market Square, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and the City Hall.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Delft or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Delft offers some nice shopping areas. The city center is home to many unique shops selling local crafts, Dutch design, and traditional Delftware pottery, making it a great place for souvenirs. You'll also find popular international brands and stores along the main shopping streets. For a more local shopping experience, visit the weekly market in the Market Square, where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and regional goods.

Is Delft or Amsterdam More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Delft or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Delft 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 Delft. There are boat tours on the canals. There's also the Vermeer Center which has an interactive experience where you can learn about the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer, in a way that's engaging and educational. The Royal Delft Factory is another great stop, where children can see traditional blue-and-white pottery being made and even try painting their own ceramics. If your kids need to stretch their legs, there's the Delftse Hout park which has a large playground, nature trails, and even a petting zoo.

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 Delft or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for romance. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Delft makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities for couples like walking through the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets. There are also quaint cafes and romantic restaurants. You can also take a boat ride along the canals or enjoy a peaceful walk through Delftse Hout park.

Is Delft or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Delft is lacking in good options 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.

Delft is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some affordable accommodation options, but many backpackers head to Delft as a day trip from the nearby city of The Hague.

Is Delft or Amsterdam Better for Students?

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

Delft is a great town to visit as a student. It is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which is a well respected technical university. The city has a vibrant student atmosphere, with plenty of student-friendly cafes, bars, and activities.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

Delft has some very good public transit options. There's a bus network that is reliable and convenient. The city's train station is centrally located and offers direct connections to major cities in the Netherlands, making it a great hub for exploring the region.

Is Delft or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Delft and Amsterdam are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Delft. The town's compact size and charming layout mean that most of the main attractions, such as the Old Church, New Church, and Market Square, are within walking distance of each other.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Delft?

How long in Delft or Amsterdam?

Both Delft and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Delft. Usually, 1 day is a good amount of time for Delft, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Delft 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 Delft or Amsterdam?

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

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Delft or Amsterdam?

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Delft. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Delft or Amsterdam?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Delft. 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.

Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Delft or Amsterdam?

Delft 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.

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Adventure Tours to Netherlands, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Delft or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Delft. When comparing the sizes of Delft and Amsterdam, 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 Delft or Amsterdam?

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 Delft or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Delft during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Delft for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Delft. In the summer, Delft often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Delft gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Amsterdam. Delft gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Delft or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Delft and Amsterdam. The autumn months attract visitors to Delft because of the shopping scene. Also, 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.

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

Delft usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during autumn. Delft gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Delft usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Delft gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Delft or Amsterdam in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. It's quite cold in Delft in the winter. Delft is around the same temperature as Amsterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Delft averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Delft often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Delft gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Amsterdam. Delft gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Delft or Amsterdam in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Delft is around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Delft in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Delft usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during spring. Delft gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Delft usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Delft gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Delft