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

Should you visit Leiden or Dijon?

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 Dijon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Leiden

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

Dijon

Dijon is a historical, cultural, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Dijon offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Dijon travel costs.

Leiden and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Dijon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dijon than Leiden. Dijon is bigger than Leiden, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dijon is more touristy than Leiden and is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Also, Dijon is famous for The Ducal Palace. Leiden is well known for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Leiden different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dijon 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 Dijon?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Dijon and Leiden.

Many visitors head to Leiden specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dijon can be an interesting and educational experience. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Dijon is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Dijon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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.

Is Leiden or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Both Leiden and Dijon have notable 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.

Dijon has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Dijon?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Leiden and Dijon.

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.

Dijon is a great destination for shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Leiden or Dijon More Beautiful?

Dijon is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Dijon offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's filled with history and architecture.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Leiden or Dijon Better for Families?

Leiden is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dijon 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.

Dijon is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Leiden or Dijon Better for Couples?

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

Dijon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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 Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden and Dijon are both notable destinations for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Leiden or Dijon Better for Students?

Leiden is notable for students. Also, Dijon 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 Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Leiden and Dijon.

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 Dijon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Leiden or Dijon a more walkable city?

Leiden is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon 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.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Leiden or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Leiden, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

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

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

In Leiden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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 Dijon. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Leiden or Dijon?

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.

Dijon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural 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 cultural destination of Dijon. 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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Dijon, we can see that Dijon 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 Dijon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dijon 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 Leiden Expensive? and Is Dijon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Dijon. Most visitors come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Leiden is cooler than Dijon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Dijon averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dijon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Dijon. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Dijon in the Autumn?

Both Dijon and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Leiden because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

In October, Leiden is generally cooler than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Dijon. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leiden or Dijon in the Winter?

Both Dijon and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. Leiden is much colder than Dijon in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Dijon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Dijon. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Dijon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Dijon. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Leiden is much colder than Dijon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Dijon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dijon. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Leiden