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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Lille?

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 Lille. 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.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Lille is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Lille is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. 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 Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotterdam is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Rotterdam offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an amazing city 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 Lille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Rotterdam and Lille.

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.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Rotterdam or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille 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 Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Rotterdam or Lille Better for Families?

Rotterdam is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Rotterdam or Lille Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Lille 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.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Rotterdam or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Lille 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 Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Rotterdam or Lille Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Lille are great places to visit.

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

Lille is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Rotterdam and Lille both offer great 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 Lille. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Rotterdam or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Lille?

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Lille?

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

A weekend in Rotterdam or Lille?

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 shopping and nightlife around the cultural destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Lille. 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 Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the trendy 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.

Lille 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Lille?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Lille. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Lille. 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 Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is cooler than Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

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

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Lille. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Lille. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Lille. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

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

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

In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Lille. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Rotterdam