Comparison · Amsterdam vs Berlin · Netherlands / Germany
Amsterdam vs Berlin
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum; choose Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Berlin is generally less expensive, and the two are about 576 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 576 km
- Less expensive
- Berlin
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Berlin
- May–September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Berlin | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AMS | BER |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Amsterdam for…
Canals and Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, curves around a compact medieval centre where almost everything is within a 30-minute walk or a short tram ride. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House draw most…
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Choose Berlin for…
Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Berlin is a sprawling, green city of distinct neighbourhoods, reunited only in 1990 after 28 years divided by the Wall. Mitte holds the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, Museum Island and the Holocaust Memorial, while the remains of the Wall run from…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Brandenburg Gate |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Reichstag and its glass dome |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Museum Island |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Neues Museum |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Berlin |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Currywurst |
| Raw herring | Döner kebab |
| Bitterballen | Berliner Pfannkuchen |
| Kroket | Eisbein |
Which is cheaper?
Berlin is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 per person there, against $220–$360 in Amsterdam (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Berlin on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Berlin are about 576 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 4 in Berlin.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Berlin cheaper?
Berlin is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $220–$360 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Berlin better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Amsterdam from Berlin?
About 576 km in a straight line.