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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Caen?

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 Caen. 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 modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled 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 Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Caen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Caen. Rotterdam is bigger than Caen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Caen is more popular for its museums and food. Caen is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen 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 Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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 Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen 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.

Caen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Rotterdam has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Caen?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Rotterdam or Caen Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Rotterdam or Caen Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Caen both notable 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.

Caen is a nice destination for couples. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Rotterdam or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Caen are notable 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Rotterdam or Caen Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam and Caen both offer excellent 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 Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Rotterdam or Caen a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Caen?

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

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

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

Rotterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Caen. 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 Caen?

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the modern big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the park-filled city of Caen. 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 Caen?

The modern port city of Rotterdam offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Caen 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Caen, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Caen?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Rotterdam or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the summer, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Caen during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Caen. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Caen. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In October, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Caen. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Caen. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Rotterdam is much colder than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Caen. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Rotterdam is cooler than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Caen. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Rotterdam