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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Siena?

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 Siena. 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Siena?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Siena. Rotterdam is bigger than Siena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Siena is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. 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 Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena 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.

Siena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Rotterdam or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Siena?

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

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Rotterdam or Siena Better for Families?

Rotterdam is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Rotterdam or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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

Is Rotterdam or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Siena 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 Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Rotterdam or Siena Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Siena are high quality places to visit.

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

Siena is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Rotterdam is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Rotterdam is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Rotterdam or Siena a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Siena are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rotterdam or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rotterdam than Siena 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 Siena.

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

One day in Rotterdam or Siena?

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

A weekend in Rotterdam or Siena?

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 history destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

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 beautiful city of Siena. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy 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.

Siena 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 Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Siena?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rotterdam is cooler than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Siena. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Siena in the Autumn?

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

In October, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Siena. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Siena. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Siena. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Siena. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the spring, Rotterdam is much colder than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Siena. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Rotterdam