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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Baltimore?

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 Baltimore. 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.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Baltimore?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baltimore. Although Rotterdam and Baltimore are roughly the same size, Baltimore has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is more popular for its museums and food, while Rotterdam is known for its big city activities. Baltimore is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Baltimore 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 Baltimore. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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 Rotterdam or Baltimore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore 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.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Rotterdam and Baltimore.

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.

Baltimore has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Baltimore?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Baltimore both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Baltimore is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Rotterdam or Baltimore Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Baltimore are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Baltimore is a very family-friendly place to visit. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Rotterdam or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Baltimore both good destinations for a couple.

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

Baltimore is a nice destination for couples. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Rotterdam or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Baltimore are good 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 Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Rotterdam or Baltimore Better for Students?

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

Rotterdam is very popular with students. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam and Baltimore both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Rotterdam offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Is Rotterdam or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Baltimore are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Baltimore is very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Baltimore. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Baltimore than Rotterdam. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Baltimore?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Baltimore. 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.

Five days in Rotterdam or Baltimore?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

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.

Baltimore 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, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore 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 Rotterdam is in Europe and Baltimore is in North America, 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Baltimore Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Baltimore. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Baltimore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Baltimore averages at about 32°F (0°C).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Baltimore. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Rotterdam