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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Howth?

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 Howth. 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.

Howth

Howth is a scenic, peaceful, and coastal fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Rotterdam and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Howth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam. Although Rotterdam and Howth are both popular with visitors, Rotterdam has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rotterdam is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. 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 Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Howth and Rotterdam.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. 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.

Howth is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Rotterdam or Howth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Howth 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.

Howth offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Rotterdam is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is great for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Howth for it's beautiful beaches. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Howth?

Rotterdam is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Rotterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Families?

Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Howth both good 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.

Howth is a nice destination for couples. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Rotterdam or Howth Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

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

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Rotterdam or Howth a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Howth are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Howth is very walkable. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rotterdam or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rotterdam than Howth 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 Howth.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Howth. 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 Howth. 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 Howth 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 Howth?

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 food and museums around the fishing village of Howth. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Howth has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Howth?

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 museums and food around the peaceful destination of Howth. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this fishing village has to offer. This fishing village offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Howth?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the coastal fishing village of Howth. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Howth?

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.

Howth is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

When is the best time to visit Rotterdam or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Howth. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Howth 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 Howth. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the autumn for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

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

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

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Howth. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Howth averages at about 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Howth. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches and the small town charm.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Rotterdam