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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Dublin?

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 Dublin. 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dublin than Rotterdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dublin is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Rotterdam is known for its big city activities. Dublin is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also home to The Guinness Storehouse. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dublin 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 Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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 Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Dublin can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Dublin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin 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 Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Dublin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Dublin both offer plenty of great 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Dublin are great 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.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for Couples?

Dublin is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

Is Rotterdam or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin 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 Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Rotterdam is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dublin 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 Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Rotterdam or Dublin a more walkable city?

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

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Dublin?

In either Rotterdam or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Rotterdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Dublin?

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 live music around the city of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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 live music and food around the laid-back destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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 food and shopping around the laid-back city of Dublin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy 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.

Dublin 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Dublin. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Dublin. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Dublin. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Dublin. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city.

In April, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Rotterdam