Amsterdam vs Rotterdam | Choose Your Adventure

picking your city

Where should you stay on your Dutch adventure: Rotterdam or Amsterdam? If you’re struggling with a mini-meltdown about where to drop your bags, keep calm citizens, we’re going to help you decide. Put on your comfy shoes, grab your bike and get ready for an adventurous ride among rivers versus canals, modern versus traditional architecture and oh-so-much more. But wait, there's more to consider! Rotterdam's buzzing art scene and innovative spirit make it a hotspot for the avant-garde adventurer, while Amsterdam's museums, like the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, will satisfy the art aficionado in you. And regardless of your choice, you have your pick of citizenM hotels in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam to rest your head after a day of exploring.

So, whether you're up for a contemporary urban exploration in Rotterdam or a stroll through Amsterdam's iconic tulip-filled parks, the choice is yours. We're here to make sure your Dutch escapade is one for the books!

a bit of history

When people ask why Amsterdam and Rotterdam feel like rivals, it’s rarely just about football (though the Ajax vs. Feyenoord rivalry runs deep). Think of it as more cultural than competitive. As locals here in the Netherlands, here is our take on the iconic rivalry. Amsterdam is seen as polished, postcard-perfect, and museum-heavy. Rotterdam? Gritty, bold, and quietly proud of its no-nonsense work ethic. The local’s mindset as said in Dutch is “niet lullen maar poetsen," meaning “don't talk, just get it done”. The roots of that difference go back to WWII. Unlike Amsterdam, which preserved much of its 17th-century charm with their winding canals, crooked gables, and yummy cheese shops, Rotterdam was nearly entirely destroyed by bombing in 1940. The city had to start from scratch, and you can definitely tell. Walk through its centre and you’ll find striking modern architecture, experimental public art, and a skyline shaped by resilience, not nostalgia. Now it’s your turn to dive deeper into the cities. But take a moment to think, what catches your eye more? Are you more of the “cobblestone-ancient architecture” type, or are you all about “steel and glass playground-city” vibes? Well, let’s find out!

round 1: general vibe

Amsterdam has this undeniable charm that we can all feel as we walk down the cobblestones. The canals and the wonky houses, it’s honestly cinematic without even trying. Living here, you get used to weaving through bikes, dodging tourists in Jordaan, and overhearing three languages at once while grabbing coffee in De Pijp. But each neighbourhood has its own rhythm: some more relaxed, others constantly moving. It’s a mix of beauty, history, and organised chaos that somehow works. Now Rotterdam on the other hand is completely different (in my opinion). The city is more modern, with European-style skyscrapers and intricately shaped buildings. You can also find some super indy streets amongst the concrete, like Witte de Withstraat with their nightlife scene and endless global food options. Even the quaint neighbourhood of Delfshaven brings you back to earth with windmills and old shipyards. But no matter what you’re looking for, Rotterdam has it and more.

round 2: getting around

I’ll be honest, even after living here for 2 years, getting around can be a bit intimidating. But I promise, it’s easier than you think! And sometimes a little chaos can be fun, right? Although Amsterdam is literally picture-perfect, it can be a confusing maze sometimes. Narrow streets, unpredictable cobblestones, and speeding bikes flying past you in every direction. For tourists and locals alike, stick to the extremely efficient tram lines as a safe option (or take a bike if you’re feeling confident). If you really want to feel like a local though, stick to walking and take in all the beautiful scenery around you. Rotterdam is way easier to navigate than Amsterdam. You have wider streets, generous bike lanes, and not as many people taking up space. Trams, metro, and bikes are your best options for getting around. Walking is also good, but keep in mind that the city is not as condensed as Amsterdam, meaning it might take a bit longer to get where you need to go.

round 3: things to do

If you’re coming to the Netherlands, you know you’re going to have a good time in Amsterdam. But hey, don’t forget about Rotterdam too! The difficult part might be choosing which city to visit. If you’re lucky, why not both! Amsterdam is your all-inclusive city for calm canals, iconic museums, and a nightlife that is never-ending. A popular attraction at the moment is the audio-visual immersion experience at AMAZE. You can even head to Pllek in Noord for a beachy vibe in the middle of the city. Coming from me, Amsterdam has so much to offer if you’re willing to wander around. Since Rotterdam lost a bit of its history to WWII, they make up for forgotten architecture with their bold, modern buildings. You could also head out to Kralignse Bos or Het Park for a more green, relaxing experience in the city. Overall, Rotterdam is creative, spacious, and more raw. One of the newer attractions is the Rif010 surfing in the middle of the concrete jungle where pro and newbie surfers hop in and ride the man-forced waves down the canal. It was super cool to watch from above with other onlookers!

round 4: architecture

As we’ve described, Amsterdam is more old and history-centric. When you walk along the canal houses on Herengracht, the Royal Palace on Dam Square, and see the Gothic spires on the Oude Kerk, you’ll feel as if you’re inside a Rembrandt painting. But depending on which neighbourhood you’re in, you can see more than just the gothic detailed buildings. The city centre has more of the “Dutch Golden Age” aesthetic with the red bricks and gothic elements. The Jordaan neighbourhood is more of the artsy and intimate area with hidden courtyards and creative renovations, making it my favourite area to roam around. And I cannot forget to mention De Pijp, the more modern area with long streets, identical housings, and an urban energy.

Rotterdam takes risks. From the Cube Houses to the Erasmus Bridge, the city takes their modern and mind-bending buildings seriously. Even the train's Central Station looks like a space ship! A little bit away from the station is one of our favourite places: the Markthal Food Hall. It’s filled with so many food stalls and cute stores and supermarkets (also the perfect place for people watching). And not to mention the building itself is a metal dome also housing locals overlooking the market. Similar to Amsterdam, no matter where you walk in Rotterdam you will encounter a unique find.

round 5: food & drinks

The Netherlands is surprisingly filled with different cultural cuisines. Think Indonesian cuisine, Surinamese, all forms of Middle Eastern and Asian food. Between Amsterdam and Rotterdam there are of course similarities but also differences. Since Amsterdam is more of a cultural hub, you’ll find food from all over the world. Mine and many other’s favourite cuisines in Amsterdam have to be Indian, Mexican, French, and the classic Dutch food. I encourage everyone to try Dutch food and see that it is more delicious than we think of it to be. If you’re still a bit overwhelmed, our Amsterdam food guide has all the hotspots and secret treasure for your foodie adventure. In Rotterdam, being the modern and up-and-coming city as it is, is a bit smaller than Amsterdam’s foodie scene. Here you will find more of the classic food spots that influence everyday Dutch culture like Surinamese street food, Korean barbeque and fried chicken (which has been my favourite to search for), and Japanese ramen spots.

round 6: nightlife

Many of us are very attuned to the nightlife scene in Amsterdam, or at least we can imagine what it is like. The nightlife in Amsterdam is extremely diverse and fits the needs of every visitor. You will find intimate speakeasies, packed live music venues, LGBTQ+ hotspots, and even renovated churches now turned into bumping night clubs. The best of Amsterdam’s nightlife lies in the areas like Reguliersdwarsstraat, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Trust me, Amsterdam’s nightlife is as legendary as it’s been described. Look into our recommendations for Amsterdam’s best bars to plan your perfect night out in the city! Meanwhile, Rotterdam’s nightlife tends to be more close-knit and immersive. Venues are smaller, crowds are more pleasant to move around, and prices are cheaper. Streets like Witte de Withstraat, Nieuwe Binnenweg, and Oudhaven/Stadhuisplein will have the parties you’re looking for from cozy bars, art spaces, classic pubs, and even laid-back waterfront spots. The clubbing scene is also huge in Rotterdam, with clubs like Now&Wow embracing the rave and techno culture of the Netherlands.

round 7: hotels & accommodation

When in Amsterdam for business, pleasure, or leisure, the Zuidas district is the place to be. It's Amsterdam's financial hub, where tech-savvy offices like Google hang out. There is the perfect mix of business classyness with hip sky bars, wine bars and delicious restaurants. It’s also super easy to get back into the city centre of Amsterdam through train or tram where you can hit up Oud Zuid, De Pijp or even the amazing Rijksmuseum. Need to catch a flight? Amsterdam South is just a quick train ride away to the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For a trip like this, citizenM Amsterdam South hotel is your go-to, where comfort meets style! If you prefer to be within the hustle and bustle of the city, citizenM Amsterdam Amstel hotel is the location for you. This also goes for Rotterdam, where in the neighbourhood of Blaak, you are super central and just a few steps away from all the action. Right outside your hotel window you can see the infamous Markthal, the Cube Houses, and the beautiful rivers. The Rotterdam Blaak train station is just steps away from our citizenM Rotterdam hotel, and a 5 minute train ride away from Rotterdam Central Station.

stay at citizenM hotels

Remember, here in the Netherlands, your next city adventure is just a train ride away. Be it Amsterdam or Rotterdam, our ultra-cosy and luxurious rooms are here for you and your comfort.

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Rotterdam vs Amsterdam: the ultimate Dutch duel