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

Should you visit Leiden or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Leiden

Leiden is a historic, cultural, and scholarly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Leiden travel costs.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a quaint, small, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife and museums. See Le Mans travel costs.

Leiden and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Le Mans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Leiden than Le Mans. While Le Mans is larger than Leiden, Leiden has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Leiden is better known for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping, while Le Mans is more popular for its small town charm. Leiden is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for its many museums and renowned university. Also, Leiden is famous for the Hortus Botanicus. Le Mans is well known for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Leiden different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Leiden is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Leiden is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Leiden. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Leiden or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Both Leiden and Le Mans 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.

Le Mans has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Le Mans?

Leiden is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Leiden. 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Leiden or Le Mans Better for Families?

Leiden is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Leiden is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Leiden or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Both Leiden and Le Mans are notable 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.

Le Mans is a nice destination for couples. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Leiden or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden and Le Mans 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 Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Is Leiden or Le Mans Better for Students?

Leiden is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Leiden and Le Mans.

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 Le Mans, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Leiden or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Leiden is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Le Mans?

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

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Le Mans. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Leiden or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Leiden or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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 museums when visiting the historic destination of Le Mans. This town 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Leiden or Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Le Mans. The summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

In the summer, Leiden is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Le Mans averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Le Mans this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Le Mans. The shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town atmosphere.

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

In the autumn, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Le Mans. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. Leiden is much colder than Le Mans in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Leiden usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Leiden is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Le Mans averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Le Mans. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Leiden