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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Naples?

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 Naples. 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.

Naples

Naples is a authentic, gritty, and colorful city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Naples?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples 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 Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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 Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples 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 Naples, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Naples has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Rotterdam or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples 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 Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Naples?

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

Naples is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Rotterdam or Naples Better for Families?

Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Rotterdam or Naples Better for Couples?

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

Naples is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

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

Is Rotterdam or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples 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 Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Rotterdam and Naples 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 Naples. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Rotterdam or Naples a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Naples are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Naples?

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Naples?

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

A weekend in Rotterdam or Naples?

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 fascinating big city of Naples. 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 Naples?

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 colorful city of Naples. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy 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.

Naples 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Naples. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Naples. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Naples because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Naples. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Naples averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Naples. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Naples this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Naples. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Naples. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Naples. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the activities around the city.

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

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Naples during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Naples. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Rotterdam