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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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 Hamburg. 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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a historic, energetic, and cultural port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Rotterdam, Rotterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rotterdam is very popular for its big city activities, while Hamburg attracts visitors for its museums, music, and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. 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 Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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 Hamburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Hamburg can be difficult as they are each nice 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.

Hamburg offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Hamburg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is an amazing port city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Hamburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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

Hamburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Hamburg are high quality 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.

Hamburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Hamburg are nice 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 Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

Rotterdam and Hamburg both offer high quality 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 Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Rotterdam or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is very walkable. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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 nightlife and live music around the port city of Hamburg. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hamburg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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 live music and food around the vibrant destination of Hamburg. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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 food and shopping when visiting the historic port city of Hamburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg 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 from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Hamburg. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Hamburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hamburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Hamburg in the Autumn?

Both Hamburg and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Hamburg in the Winter?

Both Hamburg and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hamburg can be very cold. Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Hamburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Hamburg. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Rotterdam