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

Should you visit Leiden or Arles?

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

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Leiden travel costs.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, Arles attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Arles travel costs.

Leiden and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Arles?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arles than Leiden. While Leiden is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also well known for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Leiden different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

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 Leiden or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Leiden and Arles offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arles makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Leiden or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Both Leiden and Arles have nice vibes after the sun sets.

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.

Arles has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Leiden or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Leiden does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Arles?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Leiden and Arles.

Leiden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Arles is a great destination for shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Leiden or Arles More Beautiful?

Arles is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Arles attracts visitors from all around. This small city is famous for inspiring works by Vincent Van Gogh.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Leiden or Arles Better for Families?

Leiden is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Leiden is known to be 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Leiden or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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.

Is Leiden or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Leiden or Arles Better for Students?

Leiden is well known for students. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Leiden and Arles.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Leiden or Arles a more walkable city?

Leiden and Arles are very good when it comes to walkability.

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.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Arles?

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

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

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

In Leiden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Leiden or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leiden. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Leiden or Arles?

Leiden is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Leiden. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Leiden or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the scholarly destination of Leiden. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Arles?

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

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 Leiden or Arles in the Summer?

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

Leiden is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Arles. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Arles. The shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Leiden is much colder than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Leiden usually receives less rain than Arles. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leiden or Arles in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In January, Leiden is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Arles. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Arles. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

Leiden is much colder than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives less rain than Arles. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Leiden