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

Should you visit Liverpool or Rotterdam?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Liverpool and Rotterdam 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.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a diverse, historic, and fun-filled port city. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

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.

Liverpool and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Liverpool, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Liverpool is known for its theatre productions and music. Liverpool is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its many museums and art galleries, as well as being the hometown of "The Beatles." 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 Liverpool different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Liverpool offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.

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 Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Theater?

Liverpool is great for its shows and theatre. However, Rotterdam is not a theatre destination.

Liverpool offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has a diverse theater scene with major venues showing world renowned productions as well as cozy, local venues with small shows.

Rotterdam is not a theatre destination.

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

Rotterdam is a port city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Liverpool is not particularly known 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.

Liverpool may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a diversity of flavors that are influenced by the city's international population. There are also several famous local dishes including scouse (a meat stew), toad in the hole (a giant yorkie stuffed with British sausages) and wet nelly (a dessert).

Is Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Liverpool and Rotterdam.

Liverpool is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife is fun and diverse Head to the waterfront for comedy clubs or the Ropewalks and Seel Street if you want a swanky experience. Cavern Quarter is the place to go for an all night party.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. 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 Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Music?

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

Liverpool has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Known as the birthplace of the Beatles, the city has been established as a rock and pop capital since the 1950s.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rotterdam and Liverpool.

Liverpool is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Liverpool ONE for the area's best shopping. This is the largest open-air shopping center in the UK and it's filled with a mix of name brands and independent vendors.

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 Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Both Liverpool and Rotterdam are very good to visit with kids.

Liverpool is a very kid-friendly port city. One of the most popular activities for families is Pleasureland, an amuseument park with rides that are fun for young kids. The city also has many museums and play spaces that are great for families.

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 Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Both Liverpool and Rotterdam are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Liverpool makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is fun, and the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway is to find a fun or unique activity that you can enjoy together. Going dancing, dining out, or seeing a show are all fun activities in the area.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Liverpool and Rotterdam are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Liverpool is a good port city to visit for backpackers. The city has some fun hostels where you can stay and meet other travelers.

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

Is Liverpool or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Liverpool and Rotterdam are very good places to visit for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Liverpool. The city is diverse, affordable, and offers an excellent academic environment. International students will fill welcomed and enjoy a fun city with a lot to offer.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Liverpool offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains, buses, and ferries around the area.

Is Liverpool or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Liverpool and Rotterdam both are very good when exploring on foot.

Liverpool is a very walkable port city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Liverpool?

How long in Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Liverpool and Rotterdam. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Liverpool, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Liverpool. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotterdam than Liverpool 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 Liverpool or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Liverpool. 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.

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Liverpool or Rotterdam?

You'll find live music and shopping around the fun-filled destination of Liverpool. 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.

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. 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 Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse port city of Liverpool. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern port city of Rotterdam. 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 Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Liverpool 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.

Rotterdam 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 Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing 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 Liverpool and Rotterdam, we can see that Liverpool 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 Liverpool would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liverpool 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 Liverpool Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Liverpool or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Liverpool. When comparing the sizes of Liverpool 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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Liverpool during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Liverpool this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Liverpool is around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Liverpool in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets less rain in July than Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Liverpool and Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Liverpool for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Liverpool is generally around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 12°C (53°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Liverpool usually receives less sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Liverpool gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Liverpool or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Liverpool as well as Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Liverpool in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Liverpool is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Liverpool averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Liverpool often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam and Liverpool are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Liverpool is around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Liverpool in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Liverpool usually receives less sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Liverpool gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotterdam. Liverpool gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Liverpool