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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Bologna?

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 Bologna. 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Bologna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its big city activities, while Bologna attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bologna is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. 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 Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bologna 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.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna is an amazing city 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 Bologna, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Bologna has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Rotterdam or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna 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 Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Bologna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Bologna 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.

Bologna is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Rotterdam or Bologna Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bologna is a family-friendly port city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Rotterdam or Bologna Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Bologna both nice 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.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Rotterdam or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

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

Is Rotterdam or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Bologna is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

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

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

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Rotterdam or Bologna a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Bologna 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.

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Bologna?

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Bologna?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bologna. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bologna has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Bologna?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bologna?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun city of Bologna. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Bologna?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Bologna. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bologna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bologna can be very cold. Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Bologna. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

Rotterdam is much colder than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bologna. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Rotterdam