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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Trieste?

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 Trieste. 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a cultural, historic, and dynamic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Trieste 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

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

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Rotterdam has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Trieste has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Beaches?

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

Trieste offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

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

Trieste has an old town worth visiting. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Trieste?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Trieste are very good 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.

Trieste is a very family-friendly place to visit. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Couples?

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

Trieste is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

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

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Trieste are nice 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 Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Trieste are very good places to visit.

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

Trieste is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Rotterdam and Trieste both offer very good 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 Trieste. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Is Rotterdam or Trieste a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Trieste are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Rotterdam or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Trieste?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Trieste 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Trieste?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Trieste. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Trieste because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Rotterdam is cooler than Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Trieste this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Trieste. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Trieste. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is cooler than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in October than Trieste. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Trieste in the Winter?

Both Trieste and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Trieste. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Trieste in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Rotterdam is much colder than Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in April than Trieste. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Rotterdam