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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Toulon?

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 Toulon. 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.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Toulon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Toulon. Rotterdam is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Toulon 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.

Toulon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Toulon can be difficult as they are each notable 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.

Toulon offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Rotterdam offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a good destination for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Toulon offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Toulon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Toulon both offer plenty of high quality 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.

Toulon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Toulon both notable destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Toulon 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a well-known place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is very popular with students. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Rotterdam or Toulon a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Toulon 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.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Toulon?

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Toulon?

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

A weekend in Rotterdam or Toulon?

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 real world destination of Toulon. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Toulon?

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 real world port city of Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Toulon?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Rotterdam is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Toulon in the Autumn?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Toulon. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Toulon in the Winter?

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

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam is much colder than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Toulon. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon 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 beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In the spring, Rotterdam is much colder than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Toulon and Rotterdam