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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Rouen?

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 Rouen. 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Rouen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen is known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Rouen is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. 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 Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Rouen 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.

Rouen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Rouen 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Rotterdam or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

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

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Rouen?

Rotterdam is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Rotterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rotterdam or Rouen Better for Families?

Rotterdam is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Rouen is a family-friendly port city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Rotterdam or Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Rouen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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

Is Rotterdam or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rotterdam or Rouen Better for Students?

Rotterdam is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam and Rouen both offer superb 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Is Rotterdam or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Rouen are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Rouen is very walkable. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rotterdam or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rotterdam than Rouen because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

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

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 city of Rouen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Rouen?

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 nightlife around the compact destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen?

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 impressive city of Rouen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the modern 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.

Rouen 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Rouen?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Rouen. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is cooler than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

In April, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Rouen. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Rotterdam