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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Mainz?

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 Mainz. 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 modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a historic, quaint, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Mainz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Mainz. Rotterdam is bigger than Mainz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Mainz 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.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Mainz 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.

Mainz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Rotterdam has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Rotterdam or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz 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 Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Mainz?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Rotterdam or Mainz Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Rotterdam or Mainz Better for Couples?

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

Mainz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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

Is Rotterdam or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Mainz are notable 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 Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Mainz Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Mainz are very good places to visit.

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

Mainz is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Rotterdam and Mainz both offer very good 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 Mainz. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Rotterdam or Mainz a more walkable city?

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

Mainz is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is 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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Rotterdam or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Mainz?

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 shopping and museums around the town of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Mainz?

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 shopping when visiting the beautiful town of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

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.

Mainz 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Mainz?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Mainz. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rotterdam is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Mainz. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Mainz. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In October, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Mainz. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. Rotterdam is a little warmer than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Mainz. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Rotterdam is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mainz. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Rotterdam