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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Girona?

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 Girona. 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a ancient, charming, and beautiful city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Girona is known for its museums, food, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Girona is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also home to The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona 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 Girona. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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 Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Girona 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.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

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 Girona Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Rotterdam offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Rotterdam or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Girona offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Girona?

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

Girona is an extremely popular place for shoppers. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Rotterdam or Girona Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Rotterdam or Girona Better for Couples?

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

Girona is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

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

Is Rotterdam or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Girona 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 Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Rotterdam or Girona Better for Students?

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

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

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

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

Public transit in Rotterdam can get you to some places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Rotterdam or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona 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.

Girona is a very easy city to get around on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rotterdam or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rotterdam than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Girona?

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Rotterdam or Girona?

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 museums and food around the charming destination of Girona. 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 Girona?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the ancient city of Girona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Girona?

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.

Girona 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Girona, 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 Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Girona?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Girona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Girona. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Girona. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Girona. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is much colder than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Girona during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Girona. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Girona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Girona. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Girona. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Girona during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Girona. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Rotterdam