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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Montpellier?

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 Montpellier. 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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Montpellier. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Montpellier is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. 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 Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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 Montpellier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Montpellier 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.

Montpellier offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Rotterdam know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

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

Montpellier offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Montpellier?

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

Montpellier is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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.

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

Rotterdam and Montpellier both offer excellent 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 Montpellier. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Rotterdam or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Montpellier are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Montpellier. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Montpellier 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 Montpellier. 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 Montpellier than Rotterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montpellier that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Rotterdam or Montpellier?

Rotterdam is a trendy port city where you can fill many days. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Montpellier?

Rotterdam is a trendy big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

The modern port city of Rotterdam offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Montpellier 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Montpellier?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Montpellier. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Rotterdam is cooler than Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Montpellier. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Rotterdam is much colder than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montpellier. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Rotterdam