A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Leiden for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Aalborg or Leiden?

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 Aalborg and Leiden. 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.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a local, historic, and charming town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Aalborg travel costs.

Leiden

Leiden is a historic, cultural, and scholarly city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Leiden travel costs.

Aalborg and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Leiden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aalborg. Although Aalborg and Leiden are roughly the same size, Aalborg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aalborg is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm, while Leiden is more popular for its museums and attractions. Aalborg is well known for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Also, Aalborg is famous for the Utzon Center. Leiden is well known for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Aalborg different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Leiden and Aalborg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Leiden?

Leiden is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Leiden. There are a huge number of museums around town. Some are affiliated with the museum, while others are not. Some of the favorites include the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Boerhaave Museum, the Corpus Museum, and the National Ethnological Museum.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Leiden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Aalborg and Leiden.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Aalborg makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Leiden has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a diverse food scene with many international flavors such as Japanese, Chinese, and French. The cafe culture influences the culinary scene and you'll find many cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Aalborg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

Leiden has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The large student population means that there is a good nightlife scene. There are a variety of bars, pubs, and cafes where you can enjoy a drink, with options ranging from cozy, intimate spots to larger, more vibrant venues. The Oude Markt area, with its charming historic setting, is a hotspot for nightlife, offering a mix of traditional Dutch bars and international-themed pubs.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for its Old Town?

Aalborg is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Aalborg has an old town worth visiting. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Leiden?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Leiden and Aalborg.

Aalborg is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Leiden. There are a mix of unique boutiques, international brands, and charming local stores. The Breestraat and Nieuwe Rijn are popular shopping streets, and they're lined with a variety of shops selling everything from fashion and accessories to books, art, and antiques. The city also has several markets, including a weekly Saturday market near the Pieterskerk, where you can find fresh produce, flowers, and vintage items.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Families?

Leiden is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Leiden is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has a mix of educational, cultural, and fun activities for all ages. There are many family-friendly museums like Naturalis Biodiversity Center, where kids can explore dinosaurs and wildlife, and the National Museum of Antiquities, which brings history to life. There's also the Corpus Museum, which takes visitors on a unique, interactive journey through the human body.

Aalborg offers lots of family activities. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Couples?

Aalborg and Leiden both notable destinations for a couple.

Aalborg is a nice destination for couples. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Leiden makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy charming towns and world class museums will enjoy their time here. The town also has picturesque canals, historic bridges, and cozy street cafes. Couples can explore places like the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Netherlands, or enjoy a quiet moment in the scenic Leidse Hout Park.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg and Leiden are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Leiden. The city offers affordable accommodations, including hostels and budget-friendly hotels, as well as reasonably priced eateries serving Dutch classics and international cuisine. Many of Leiden’s attractions, like its historic canals, charming streets, and open-air markets, can be enjoyed for free.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Students?

Leiden is a great destination for students. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Leiden. It feels like a university town and it's home to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university is known for its academic excellence and vibrant student community. The town also has a young atmosphere with plenty of affordable cafes, bars, and cultural events that influence the student life. Its compact size makes it easy to navigate by bike, and the abundance of libraries, study spaces, and museums provides ample resources for learning and inspiration. Housing can be difficult to find though.

It's common for students to visit Aalborg. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

Is Aalborg or Leiden Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aalborg and Leiden.

You'll find some public transit in Aalborg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system around town.

While Leiden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Leiden Central Station is the main hub for trains, which connect the city to other towns throughout the country. Around town there are buses that are reliable and convenient.

Is Aalborg or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Leiden is very walkable. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with many of its attractions, cafes, shops, and historical sites located within walking distance of each other.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Leiden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aalborg or Leiden to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Aalborg than Leiden because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Leiden.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Leiden than Aalborg 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 Leiden.

One day in Aalborg or Leiden?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aalborg. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Leiden, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Aalborg or Leiden?

Aalborg 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.

In Leiden, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Leiden has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Leiden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. 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.

Leiden 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.

A week in Aalborg or Leiden?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Aalborg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When comparing the travel costs between Aalborg and Leiden, we can see that Aalborg 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 Aalborg Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Leiden?

Aalborg has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Leiden, 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 Aalborg or Leiden?

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 Aalborg or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Leiden. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Leiden in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aalborg is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 16°C (61°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Leiden in the Autumn?

Both Leiden and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Leiden for the shopping scene during these months.

Aalborg is cooler than Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Leiden. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aalborg or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Aalborg during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Leiden because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Leiden can be very cold. Aalborg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Aalborg is much colder than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aalborg in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Leiden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Leiden. The spring months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the small town charm.

In April, Aalborg is generally cooler than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 6°C (43°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In April, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Leiden. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Aalborg