Comparison · Amsterdam vs Rotterdam · Netherlands
Amsterdam vs Rotterdam
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 Rotterdam for Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Rotterdam is generally less expensive, and the two are about 57 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 57 km
- Less expensive
- Rotterdam
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Rotterdam
- May–September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Rotterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | Netherlands |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge and Markthal |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 6°C (43°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 8 |
| Beaches | — | Hoek van Holland |
| Airports | AMS | RTM, AMS, EIN |
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…
Choose Rotterdam for…
Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Rotterdam's centre was largely destroyed by bombing in May 1940, and the city chose to rebuild in a modern way rather than recreate what was lost. The result is a skyline of towers along the Nieuwe Maas, the Erasmus Bridge, the Cube Houses, the Markthal and…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Rotterdam |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Markthal |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Cube Houses and Oude Haven |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Erasmus Bridge |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Euromast |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Rotterdam |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Kibbeling |
| Raw herring | Raw herring |
| Bitterballen | Kapsalon |
| Kroket | Bitterballen |
Which is cheaper?
Rotterdam is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 per person there, against $220–$360 in Amsterdam (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rotterdam on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Rotterdam are about 57 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 3 in Rotterdam.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Rotterdam cheaper?
Rotterdam is usually less expensive: about $170–$300 a day mid-range against $220–$360 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Rotterdam better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Rotterdam for Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge, lower day-to-day costs and beaches.
+How far is Amsterdam from Rotterdam?
About 57 km in a straight line.