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

Should you visit Dubai 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 Dubai and Rotterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Rotterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dubai is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.

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

Dubai is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dubai. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Dubai or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubai is great 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.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

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 Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

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

Dubai has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

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 Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Music?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a good destination for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Rotterdam?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Rotterdam are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

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

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Rotterdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Dubai is a very popular place to visit for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

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

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

Rotterdam is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Rotterdam offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

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

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Rotterdam?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai 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 Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Rotterdam?

People visit Dubai because there is so much to do. 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.

In Rotterdam, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this trendy big city offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dubai or Rotterdam?

People visit Dubai because there is so much to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Dubai or Rotterdam?

People visit Dubai because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Rotterdam. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Rotterdam?

Dubai 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 Dubai, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy big city of Rotterdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Rotterdam, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Rotterdam?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Rotterdam?

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

Should I visit Dubai or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is much warmer than Rotterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Dubai or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Rotterdam. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Rotterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. 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. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Rotterdam. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.

Dubai is much warmer than Rotterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Dubai