A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a relaxing, historic, and vibrant town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Aix-en-Provence. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Aix-en-Provence is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Aix-en-Provence and Rotterdam.

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.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is an amazing town to visit 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.

Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

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 Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

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.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is an amazing town 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 Aix-en-Provence specifically to go shopping. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

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 Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Aix-en-Provence is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

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

Is Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence are nice places to visit.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence are great places to visit.

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

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Is Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Aix-en-Provence 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 to most places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

While Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Aix-en-Provence. 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.

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

One day in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Aix-en-Provence. 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.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and food around the laid-back destination of Aix-en-Provence. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. This port city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing town of Aix-en-Provence. 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 Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aix-en-Provence 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Rotterdam 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aix-en-Provence. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Aix-en-Provence in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Aix-en-Provence. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty.

Rotterdam is much colder than Aix-en-Provence in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Rotterdam