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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

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 Sao Paulo. 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 high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a colorful, cultural, and dynamic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Rotterdam and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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 Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Sao Paulo can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Sao Paulo has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Sao Paulo specifically to go shopping. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Sao Paulo both nice 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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Sao Paulo are nice 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 Sao Paulo. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Sao Paulo is a good port city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Public transit in Sao Paulo is top-notch. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Rotterdam or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Sao Paulo are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Sao Paulo. In our opinion, Sao Paulo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sao Paulo than Rotterdam. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

One day in Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful big city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern port city of Rotterdam. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Sao Paulo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

Rotterdam 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.

Sao Paulo 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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Sao Paulo, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam is in Europe and Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam than you might in Sao Paulo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Rotterdam or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Rotterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Sao Paulo. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Sao Paulo. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city.

Rotterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Rotterdam