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

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Rotterdam?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its shopping and big city activities. Nagano is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Nagano different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.

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

Nagano 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 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.

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 Nagano or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagano 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.

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

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 Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Nagano and Rotterdam.

The nightlife in Nagano has something for everybody. 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.

Rotterdam offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Rotterdam Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

Nagano is great for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. 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.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Rotterdam?

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

Rotterdam is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Rotterdam Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

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

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

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

Is Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Rotterdam are good places to visit.

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

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

Is Nagano or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Is Nagano 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, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you around easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Nagano has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nagano than Rotterdam. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Rotterdam?

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.

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic 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.

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Rotterdam?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam 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 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 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Rotterdam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nagano is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. Nagano is around the same temperature as Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Rotterdam. Most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nagano is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Rotterdam. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Nagano