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

Should you visit Dundee or Leiden?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Leiden? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Dundee

Dundee is a historic, coastal, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Dundee travel costs.

Leiden

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

Dundee and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Leiden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dundee than Leiden. Dundee is bigger than Leiden, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dundee is better known for its big city activities, while Leiden is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Leiden is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its many museums and renowned university. Dundee is well known for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. Also, Dundee is famous for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Dundee different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Leiden is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Leiden offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Dundee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

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

Leiden is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Leiden makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Dundee or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

Both Dundee and Leiden are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Leiden. 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 the Shopping Better in Dundee or Leiden?

Leiden is a popular place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Leiden is a great destination for shopping. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Is Dundee or Leiden Better for Families?

Leiden is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dundee is a family-friendly city. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Is Dundee or Leiden Better for Couples?

Leiden is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Leiden is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden is a popular place for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Dundee or Leiden Better for Students?

Leiden is a well-known place for students. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Leiden is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Dundee. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

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

Both Dundee and Leiden offer notable public transit options.

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Leiden has some public transit options. 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 Dundee or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dundee is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walks through the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dundee or Leiden to fill your time. In our opinion, Leiden has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Leiden than Dundee. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Leiden than Dundee. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Leiden than Dundee 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 Dundee or Leiden?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Dundee. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Leiden. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Leiden?

Dundee 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.

Leiden 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.

Five days in Dundee or Leiden?

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

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

A week in Dundee or Leiden?

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

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Leiden, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Leiden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leiden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leiden 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 Dundee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dundee than you might in Leiden.

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Leiden?

Dundee has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Dundee 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 Dundee 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 Dundee or Leiden in the Summer?

Both Leiden and Dundee during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dundee is generally cooler than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 14°C (58°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Leiden. Many travelers come to Dundee for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Leiden in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Dundee is cooler than Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Dundee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during autumn. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Leiden. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dundee or Leiden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Leiden. Many visitors come to Dundee in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. Dundee can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dundee is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dundee in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Dundee often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Leiden. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dundee for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Dundee is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 7°C (45°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Dundee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during spring. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dundee usually receives less rain than Leiden. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Dundee