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

Should you visit Manchester or Leiden?

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 Manchester and Leiden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Manchester travel costs.

Leiden

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

Manchester and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Leiden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Leiden. Manchester is bigger than Leiden, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum. Leiden is well known for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Manchester different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Leiden and Manchester. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Leiden?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Leiden.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Leiden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Leiden offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Manchester or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

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

Manchester has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or Leiden Better for Music?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Leiden is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Leiden is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Leiden?

Manchester 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 Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Leiden Better for Families?

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

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Leiden is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Manchester or Leiden Better for Couples?

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

Manchester makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Leiden are notable places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester or Leiden Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Leiden are very good places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Leiden to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester than Leiden because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Leiden.

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

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

One day in Manchester or Leiden?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the scholarly city of Leiden, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Leiden, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Leiden?

Manchester 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Leiden, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Leiden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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.

Leiden, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Leiden?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Leiden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Leiden?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Leiden, 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 Manchester or Leiden?

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 Manchester or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Leiden. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

In July, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives less rain than Leiden. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Leiden. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Leiden. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Leiden in the Winter?

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

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In the winter, Manchester is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leiden. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Leiden. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Manchester