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

Should you visit Leiden or Hamburg?

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 Hamburg 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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. Hamburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Hamburg travel costs.

Leiden and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Hamburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hamburg than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hamburg is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Leiden attracts visitors for its food. Hamburg is more touristy than Leiden and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. It is also well known for St. Michael's Church. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Leiden different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Hamburg 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 Hamburg can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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

Leiden is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Leiden is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Leiden or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

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

Hamburg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

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 Leiden or Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Leiden is not a live music destination.

Hamburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Leiden is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Hamburg?

Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

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 Leiden or Hamburg More Beautiful?

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

Hamburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is divided into a number of different districts that each have their own personality.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Leiden or Hamburg Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Leiden or Hamburg.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Leiden. 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.

Hamburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Leiden or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Both Leiden and Hamburg are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Leiden or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden and Hamburg are both nice 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 Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Leiden or Hamburg Better for Students?

Leiden is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

You'll find some public transit in Leiden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Leiden or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Leiden and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is very walkable. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Hamburg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Leiden and Hamburg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hamburg than in Leiden. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Leiden, and 1-3 days is enough time in Hamburg.

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

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

One day in Leiden or Hamburg?

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.

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

A weekend in Leiden or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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 Hamburg?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hamburg. Don't miss the live music, 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 Hamburg?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic destination of Hamburg. This port 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg 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 music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Winter?

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

Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In January, Leiden is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

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

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Hamburg. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Spring?

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

Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hamburg. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Leiden