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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Amalfi?

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 Amalfi. 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 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.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a picturesque, stunning, and dramatic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Rotterdam and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its shopping and big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amalfi 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 Amalfi?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Amalfi 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.

Amalfi is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi 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 Amalfi, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around 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 Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Rotterdam and Amalfi.

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.

Amalfi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Amalfi. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a good destination for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Amalfi offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is great for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Amalfi for the hiking trails. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Amalfi?

Rotterdam is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Rotterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Families?

Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly port city. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Amalfi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

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

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a port city with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rotterdam is a good port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi 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 Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Rotterdam or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Amalfi is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Amalfi?

Both Rotterdam and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Rotterdam. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

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

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

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Amalfi. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Amalfi?

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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the dramatic destination of Amalfi. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Amalfi?

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.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the charming town of Amalfi. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy 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.

Amalfi is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, one week is sufficent for most. 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, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Amalfi?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Amalfi, 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 Amalfi?

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 Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Amalfi. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

Rotterdam is much colder than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

Amalfi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Amalfi. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Rotterdam