A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Bilbao for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Bilbao. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Bilbao travel costs.

Rotterdam and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bilbao than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights, while Rotterdam is known for its big city activities. Bilbao is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Bilbao is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bilbao. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Is the Food Better in Rotterdam or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bilbao is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bilbao, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotterdam makes for a great culinary experience. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Rotterdam and Bilbao.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Bilbao both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Bilbao is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Families?

Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly port city. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Bilbao both good destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Bilbao is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Bilbao are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam and Bilbao both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Rotterdam offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Rotterdam or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Rotterdam is a very walkable port city. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable port city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Bilbao. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Rotterdam 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 Bilbao.

One day in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Bilbao, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Bilbao?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Bilbao, 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 Rotterdam or Bilbao?

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 Rotterdam or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Bilbao. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Rotterdam is much colder than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Bilbao. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Rotterdam