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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Crete?

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 Crete. 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.

Crete

Crete is a scenic, stunning, and breathtaking island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Crete: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Crete?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Crete. Although Rotterdam and Crete are roughly the same size, Crete has more sights and attractions for tourists. Crete is very popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam attracts visitors for its shopping and big city activities. Crete is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also well known for the Palace of Knossos. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Crete 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 Crete. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.

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 Crete? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Crete is an amazing island 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 Crete, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

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 Crete Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Rotterdam and Crete.

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.

Crete has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Resorts?

Crete is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Crete for its luxury resorts. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Crete is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Crete. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Beaches?

Crete is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Crete offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Crete for the hiking trails. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Crete?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Crete. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Families?

Crete is an amazing island to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Crete is very family-friendly. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, ​​Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.

Rotterdam is 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.

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Couples?

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

Crete is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.

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

Is Rotterdam or Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Crete 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 Crete. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

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 Crete Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Crete are superb places to visit.

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

Crete is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.

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

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Crete is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Crete offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is Rotterdam or Crete a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Crete is generally not a very walkable port city. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.

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

Should I spend more time in Crete or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Crete?

Both Rotterdam and Crete have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Crete than in Rotterdam. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Crete?

Each neighborhood in Rotterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Crete. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Crete?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the breathtaking destination of Crete. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Crete?

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Rotterdam. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the world-renowned island of Crete. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Crete?

You'll find food and shopping around the modern big city of Rotterdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Crete is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Crete, 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 Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.

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

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

Which has a larger population, Rotterdam or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Crete, 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.