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

Should you visit Leiden or Salzburg?

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

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Leiden travel costs.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a cultural, recognizable, and historic city. Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Salzburg travel costs.

Leiden and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Salzburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Salzburg is more touristy than Leiden and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Leiden different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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

Both Leiden and Salzburg offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Leiden has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Salzburg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Leiden or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Both Leiden and Salzburg have nice 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.

Salzburg has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Leiden or Salzburg Better for Music?

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

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Leiden is not a live music destination.

Is Leiden or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Leiden does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Salzburg?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg More Beautiful?

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

Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Leiden or Salzburg Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Leiden or Salzburg.

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.

Salzburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Leiden or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Salzburg has plenty to offer. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get 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 Salzburg a more walkable city?

Leiden and Salzburg are excellent 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Salzburg?

In either Leiden or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than Leiden because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Leiden, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Leiden or Salzburg?

The city of Leiden offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Leiden or Salzburg?

Leiden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Leiden, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Salzburg 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 Salzburg?

Leiden is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Salzburg?

Leiden is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Salzburg?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Salzburg. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Leiden is cooler than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Leiden is around the same temperature as Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leiden or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Leiden is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Leiden or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Salzburg. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty.

Leiden is cooler than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Salzburg. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Leiden