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

Should you visit Melbourne or Rotterdam?

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

Should I visit Melbourne 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne than Rotterdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Melbourne is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Melbourne different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Melbourne or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Rotterdam.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Rotterdam is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is great for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Melbourne and Rotterdam.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Rotterdam.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Rotterdam is known to be 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Rotterdam make for a good place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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

Is Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Rotterdam are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

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.

Is Melbourne or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Melbourne and Rotterdam.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Melbourne or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Rotterdam are superb when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Melbourne and Rotterdam. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than in Rotterdam. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

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

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

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

One day in Melbourne or Rotterdam?

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Rotterdam. 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam?

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the modern big city of Rotterdam. 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam?

People visit Melbourne 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 great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Melbourne is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Rotterdam, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Melbourne is in Pacific and Rotterdam is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Rotterdam?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Rotterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Rotterdam. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Melbourne is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Rotterdamin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Rotterdam. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In April, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Rotterdamin October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdamin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Melbourne is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in January.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Rotterdamin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Melbourne is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdamin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Melbourne