A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Delft for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Southampton or Delft?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Delft? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a up-and-coming, waterfront, and dynamic port city. Southampton is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Southampton travel costs.

Delft

Delft is a historic, quaint, and charming town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Delft travel costs.

Southampton and Delft: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Delft?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Delft than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Delft, Delft has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Delft is very popular for its historical sights, while Southampton attracts visitors for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Delft is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its charming canals, cobblestone streets, and blue and white ceramic pottery. It is also well known for the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk). Southampton is famous for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Delft?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Delft?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Southampton and Delft.

Southampton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Delft. There are several museums that highlight the culture and history of the area. The Vermeer Center offers an immersive experience into the life and work of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the city. The Royal Delft Factory teaches visitors about the city's iconic blue-and-white pottery. The Delft Museum of Technology and the Old Church also provide insight into the city's engineering, cultural, and religious history.

Is the Food Better in Southampton or Delft? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Delft can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Delft area. There are several local dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or a frikandel (a Dutch snack). The town has countless casual eateries and cozy cafes where you can enjoy pastries, coffee, and Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken). There's also a selection of international restaurants around town that serve Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Local markets and street food stalls provide affordable options, such as fresh herring or delicious Dutch cheese.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for Nightlife?

Southampton is a port city with good options for nightlife. However, Delft is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Delft is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It has a low-key and relaxed nightlife scene with a variety of cozy pubs, bars, and cafes, many of which are located along the scenic canals.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for its Old Town?

Delft is a great town for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Delft. The city's old town is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets. The heart of the old town is centered around the Market Square, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and the City Hall.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Delft?

If you're looking to go shopping, Southampton and Delft both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Many visitors go to Delft to go shopping. The city center is home to many unique shops selling local crafts, Dutch design, and traditional Delftware pottery, making it a great place for souvenirs. You'll also find popular international brands and stores along the main shopping streets. For a more local shopping experience, visit the weekly market in the Market Square, where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and regional goods.

Is Southampton or Delft More Beautiful?

Southampton is a port city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Southampton is a gorgeous place to visit. The city mixes culture and a bit of history, making it a fun stop off before a cruise or ferry ride.

Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Delft.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Delft is a family-friendly place to visit. There are boat tours on the canals. There's also the Vermeer Center which has an interactive experience where you can learn about the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer, in a way that's engaging and educational. The Royal Delft Factory is another great stop, where children can see traditional blue-and-white pottery being made and even try painting their own ceramics. If your kids need to stretch their legs, there's the Delftse Hout park which has a large playground, nature trails, and even a petting zoo.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for Couples?

Southampton is a very popular place for romance. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Southampton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Delft makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities for couples like walking through the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets. There are also quaint cafes and romantic restaurants. You can also take a boat ride along the canals or enjoy a peaceful walk through Delftse Hout park.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for Students?

Delft is a great town for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Delft is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which is a well respected technical university. The city has a vibrant student atmosphere, with plenty of student-friendly cafes, bars, and activities.

Southampton is not popular with students.

Is Southampton or Delft Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Delft is a great town for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Delft can get you around easily. There's a bus network that is reliable and convenient. The city's train station is centrally located and offers direct connections to major cities in the Netherlands, making it a great hub for exploring the region.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Delft a more walkable city?

Delft is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Delft is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town's compact size and charming layout mean that most of the main attractions, such as the Old Church, New Church, and Market Square, are within walking distance of each other.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Southampton Worth Visiting? and Is Delft Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Delft or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Delft?

Southampton and Delft both offer plenty of fun activities. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Southampton than Delft because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 1 day is enough time in Delft.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Delft than Southampton 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 Delft.

One day in Southampton or Delft?

In Southampton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this dynamic destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Delft. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Delft?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find shopping and museums around the charming destination of Delft. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. A weekend may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Five days in Southampton or Delft?

Southampton is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Southampton. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The charming town of Delft offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Delft?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Southampton. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Delft. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Delft?

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

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 Southampton or Delft in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Delft. Many visitors come to Southampton in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Delft for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Southampton is generally around the same temperature as Delft. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 18°C (64°F), and Delft fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Delft this time of the year. Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Delft during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Delft receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Delft. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Delft receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Delft in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Delft. Most visitors come to Southampton for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Delft because of the shopping scene.

Southampton is a little warmer than Delft in the autumn. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Delft fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Delft. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Delft receives 105 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Delft. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Delft receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Delft in the Winter?

Both Delft and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Southampton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Delft this time of year.

It's quite cold in Delft in the winter. The weather in Southampton can be very cold. In the winter, Southampton is much warmer than Delft. Typically, the winter temperatures in Southampton in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Delft averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Delft during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Delft receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives less rain than Delft. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Delft receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Delft in the Spring?

Both Delft and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Southampton this time of year.

In April, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Delft. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 9°C (48°F), and Delft fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Delft. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Delft receives 158 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Delft. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Delft receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Delft and Southampton