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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Nantes?

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 Nantes. 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Nantes is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. 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 Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nantes 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 Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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 Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes 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 Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Rotterdam or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Nantes?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Nantes both offer plenty of great 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.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Is Rotterdam or Nantes Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Nantes are great 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.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Is Rotterdam or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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

Is Rotterdam or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Rotterdam or Nantes Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Rotterdam and Nantes 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 Nantes. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Rotterdam or Nantes a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Nantes are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Nantes. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nantes than Rotterdam. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotterdam than Nantes 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 Nantes?

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nantes. 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 Nantes?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Nantes. 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 Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Nantes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Nantes?

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

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 Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Nantes. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Nantes. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Nantes this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Nantes. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

Rotterdam is cooler than Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Nantes. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Rotterdam