A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Amsterdam for Attractions, Old Town, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a historic, canal-lined, and party-oriented city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, shopping, and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amsterdam is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions, food, and small town charm. Amsterdam is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Amsterdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is an unbeatable place for its theatre productions. However, Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Stratford-upon-Avon. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a live music destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its old town. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Amsterdam is well-known for its shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Stratford-upon-Avon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Stratford-upon-Avon, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Even though Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town where visitors enjoy the theater and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Amsterdam for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the theater. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, five days is sufficent for most.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. This city offers something for everyone. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Amsterdam. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Amsterdam. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Amsterdam in the Spring?

Both Amsterdam and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a little warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Stratford-upon-Avon