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

Should you visit Leiden or Leipzig?

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 Leipzig 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.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a growing, dynamic, and cultural city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Leipzig travel costs.

Leiden and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Leipzig?

Both Leipzig and Leiden have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Leiden is better known for its food, while Leipzig is more popular for its shopping and quaint atmosphere. Leiden is well known for its many museums and renowned university. Leipzig is well known for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Leiden different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Leipzig 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 Leipzig can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

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

Leiden is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Leipzig. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

Is Leiden or Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Both Leiden and Leipzig 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.

Leipzig has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Leipzig?

Leipzig 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 Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

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 Leipzig Better for Families?

Leiden is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Leipzig is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Leiden or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Both Leiden and Leipzig 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.

Leipzig is a nice destination for couples. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

Is Leiden or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden and Leipzig 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 Leipzig. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

Is Leiden or Leipzig Better for Students?

Leiden is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Leipzig is not popular with students.

Leiden is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Leipzig is not popular with students.

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

Leipzig 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 Leipzig. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

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 Leipzig a more walkable city?

Leiden is great for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Leipzig?

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

Families should spend more time in Leiden than Leipzig. 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 Leipzig 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Leiden or Leipzig?

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.

Leipzig 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig. 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 Leipzig?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Leipzig. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Leipzig?

Leipzig has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Leipzig, 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Leipzig. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leipzig for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Leiden is cooler than Leipzig. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Leipzig averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leipzig this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leipzig during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Leipzig in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Leipzig. Many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Leipzig in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Leiden is generally around the same temperature as Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Leipzig. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in October than Leipzig. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Leipzig in the Winter?

Both Leipzig and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Leipzig for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Leipzig can be very cold during winter. Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Leiden is much warmer than Leipzig in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Leipzig fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leipzig during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Leiden usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Leipzig in the Spring?

Both Leipzig and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Leiden is cooler than Leipzig. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Leipzig averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Leiden