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

Should you visit Inverness or Leiden?

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 Inverness and Leiden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

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

Leiden

Leiden is a cultural, scholarly, and historic city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Leiden travel costs.

Inverness and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Leiden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Inverness. Although Inverness and Leiden are both popular with visitors, Inverness has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Inverness is more touristy than Leiden and is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. It is also home to Loch Ness. Leiden is popular for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Inverness different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Inverness and Leiden.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Leiden can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Leiden.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Leiden has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Inverness or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

Both Inverness and Leiden are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

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 Inverness or Leiden?

Inverness is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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.

Is Inverness or Leiden Better for Families?

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

Leiden is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Inverness or Leiden Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Leiden are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Leiden is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Inverness or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Leiden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Leiden Better for Students?

Leiden is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Leiden is very popular with students. 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Leiden is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Leiden has a few 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Leiden a more walkable city?

Inverness and Leiden both are very good when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

Leiden is a very walkable destination. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Leiden?

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

Families should spend more time in Leiden than Inverness. 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Leiden?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Leiden. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Leiden has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Leiden?

Inverness 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Leiden. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Leiden?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Leiden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Leiden?

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

Leiden 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus 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 Inverness and Leiden, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Leiden?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Leiden in the Summer?

Both Leiden and Inverness during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

In the summer, Inverness is cooler than Leiden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Inverness in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Leiden averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Leiden. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene.

In October, Inverness is generally cooler than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 9°C (49°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than Leiden. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Inverness or Leiden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Leiden. Many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. Inverness is much warmer than Leiden in the winter. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Inverness is cooler than Leiden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Inverness in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Leiden averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Leiden. Inverness 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 Inverness