A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Amsterdam for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a historic, traditional, and alpine city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Nagano and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Amsterdam?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Nagano. Amsterdam is bigger than Nagano, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nagano is more popular for its skiing, food, resorts, and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Nagano and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Nagano is well known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

How is Nagano different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Skiing?

Nagano is well known for winter skiing. However, Amsterdam is not a skiing destination.

People head to Nagano specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Amsterdam is not a skiing destination.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Amsterdam.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Nagano is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nagano. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

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 Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a must-see 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.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a great city for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Hiking?

Nagano is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Amsterdam is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Nagano is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Nagano is a very kid-friendly city. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

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 Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Nagano is popular with students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Amsterdam can take you anywhere. 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Amsterdam?

Both Nagano 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 Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Nagano. 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 Nagano 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 Nagano or Amsterdam?

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the city of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or Amsterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the alpine destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or Amsterdam?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the alpine city of Nagano. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Amsterdam?

Nagano is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano 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 Nagano or Amsterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Amsterdam. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and 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.

Nagano is a little warmer than Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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 the autumn, Nagano is a little warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Amsterdam in the Winter?

Both Amsterdam and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Furthermore, 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 Nagano in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Amsterdam. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Nagano is a little warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Nagano