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

Should you visit Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

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 Rio de Janeiro 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.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a diverse, high energy, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Rio de Janeiro is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Rio de Janeiro travel costs.

Leiden and Rio de Janeiro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rio de Janeiro than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rio de Janeiro is more touristy than Leiden and is popular for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. It is also well known for Christ the Redeemer. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Leiden different from Rio de Janeiro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro 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, Rio de Janeiro has many famous sights for visitors. Looking out over the city is the world famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer. It sits on top of Corcovado Mountain and it is a must-see destination for visitors to the city. Other sights around town include the church and monastery of São Bento, the stunning church of São Francisco da Penitência, the imperial palaces of São Cristóvão, and the baroque church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

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 Rio de Janeiro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Rio de Janeiro has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The cuisine around town mixes African and European cooking styles to give it a unique taste. The city is a mix of cultures and flavors and you'll find restaurants that integrate traditional Brazilian dishes with international influences. You'll find a wonderful street food scene, but also fine dining, and everything in between. Some of the most popular dishes include feijoada (beef and bean stew), churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), and pão de queijo (baked dough and cheese).

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Nightlife?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Rio de Janeiro is a world class party destination. It has a world famous nightlife scene, and the most popular party neighborhood is Lapa. While the biggest crowds are on the weekends, weeknights stay busy as well. Every weekend in Lapa there's a huge street party, but there are also bars and dance clubs nearby. A more local neighborhood is Botafogo, which is a great area to grab a beer and enjoy a relaxed night out. If you want a beachside bar, check out the touristy neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Beaches?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Leiden is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Rio de Janeiro is a very popular vacation destination. The beaches have long been written about and made iconic by songs and literary works. Copacabana and Ipanema are world renowned, and the sandy stretches and vibrant waterfront promenades will not disappoint. There are plenty of recreational activities as well as a striking blue water backdrop. You'll find beach parties, waterside bars, and pickup games of football or volleyball. In addition to these iconic beaches, there are several lesser known places to visit like Joatinga and Barra da Tijuca.

Leiden is not a beach destination.

Is Leiden or Rio de Janeiro Better for Hiking?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Leiden is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Rio de Janeiro specifically for its hiking. Although it is a bustling megacity, it also offers access to world class hikes. The city is filled with mountains and dramatic peaks, so many hikes take you to spectacular views of the city. There are also jungle hikes and even opportunities to see local wildlife. There's a combination of iconic trails and lesser known strolls that will let you truly absorb what this city has to offer. Some of the best hikes include Pedra Bonita, Dois Irmaos, and Pedra da Gávea.

Leiden is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Rio de Janeiro specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Whatever your budget, there are options for you. There are wonderful street markets for those on a budget and grand shopping malls if you're looking for something a bit higher end. Some of the best places for shopping include Rio Sul, Barra Shopping, and SAARA Market.

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 Rio de Janeiro More Beautiful?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Rio de Janeiro is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city's mountainous landscapes and striking beaches make it, arguably, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many mountaintop views of the city as well as city hikes and iconic neighborhoods.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Leiden or Rio de Janeiro Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Leiden or Rio de Janeiro.

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.

Rio de Janeiro is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beaches. It's easy to spend days by the water soaking up the sun. Another must-do is a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable cars are fun and there are jungle walks and spectacular views. If you need to escape the rain or heat, spend the day at the Museum of Tomorrow.

Is Leiden or Rio de Janeiro Better for Couples?

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

Rio de Janeiro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens around town that are perfect for a stroll. Nature lovers will enjoy the many hikes in the area, many which go through the jungle, visit waterfalls, or offer spectacular views. And, of course, Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-see destination, as are the many beaches in the area.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rio de Janeiro is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rio de Janeiro, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to the city for its wild nightlife scene and beautiful beaches. There's a huge backpacker culture here and many hostels around town that offer a social setting and plenty of activities for guests.

It's common for backpackers to visit Leiden. 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.

Is Leiden or Rio de Janeiro Better for Students?

Leiden is a great destination for students. However, Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Leiden. 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.

Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

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

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro. The city has a subway system, MetroRio, that is relatively reliable and convenient. There are also city buses, trams, and commuter trains.

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 Rio de Janeiro a more walkable city?

Leiden and Rio de Janeiro are superb 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.

Rio de Janeiro is very walkable. Most of the areas where tourists spend their time are relatively walkable. Centro is compact and many tourists choose to explore areas on foot. As always, remember to take the appropriate safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.

For even more information, also check out Is Leiden Worth Visiting? and Is Rio de Janeiro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rio de Janeiro or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Leiden and Rio de Janeiro both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rio de Janeiro than Leiden because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Leiden, and 4-6 days is enough time in Rio de Janeiro.

Families should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro than Leiden. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rio de Janeiro, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

One day in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

In Leiden, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Rio de Janeiro is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Leiden is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rio de Janeiro is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leiden. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rio de Janeiro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Leiden. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the festive big city of Rio de Janeiro. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leiden is in Europe and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Leiden has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Leiden or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Leiden is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Leiden usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Leiden in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Leiden is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Leiden usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.

Should I visit Leiden or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. In January, Leiden is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.

Leiden is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

In April, Leiden usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Leiden