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AmsterdamvsEdinburgh

Both Amsterdam and Edinburgh are incredible destinations. Amsterdam excels in canals and museums, while Edinburgh stands out for castle and whisky.

Best for:nightlife · Amsterdam

At a glance

AmsterdamEdinburgh
Daily budget (mid-range)€238€210
Hotel per night (mid-range)€160€140
Best monthsJun, Jul, AugMay, Jun, Jul
Summer / winter22°C / 5°C19°C / 5°C
LanguageDutchEnglish
CurrencyEuro (€)British Pound (£)
Getting between themFlight · 1h 25m · Bus from €56

How they compare

  • Culture & History
    AmsterdamEdinburgh
  • Food & Dining
    AmsterdamEdinburgh
  • Nightlife
    AmsterdamEdinburgh

Top tours and experiences in Amsterdam

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise with Drinks and Cheese

Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise with Drinks and Cheese

4.833,534 reviews1h
Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks and Bites Option

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks and Bites Option

4.931,852 reviews1h
Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Canal Cruise by Captain Jack

Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Canal Cruise by Captain Jack

4.919,001 reviews1h 30m
Amsterdam Anne Frank Small-Group Guided Walking Tour

Amsterdam Anne Frank Small-Group Guided Walking Tour

4.813,753 reviews1h
All things to do in Amsterdam →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Top tours and experiences in Edinburgh

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

4.79,558 reviews1h
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

4.87,395 reviews12h 30m
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

4.86,955 reviews1h 30m
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands

4.96,952 reviews12h 30m
All things to do in Edinburgh →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Is Amsterdam or Edinburgh cheaper?

For a mid-range traveller, Edinburgh is about 12% cheaper per day than Amsterdam.

Mid-rangeAmsterdamEdinburgh
Accommodation (per night)€160€140
Food and drinks (per day)€48€42
Sightseeing and activities (per day)€30€28
Total per day€238€210

Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport.

Amsterdam or Edinburgh: weather by month

Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall, from weather-station records.

MonthAmsterdamEdinburgh
January
7°C / 1°C71 mmCold
7°C / 2°C63 mmCold
February
8°C / 1°C55 mmCold
8°C / 2°C51 mmCold
March
11°C / 3°C48 mmCold
10°C / 3°C52 mmCold
April
15°C / 5°C37 mmFair
13°C / 5°C34 mmFair
May
18°C / 9°C65 mmFair
16°C / 7°C52 mmFair
June
21°C / 12°C66 mmGreat
18°C / 10°C65 mmFair
July
23°C / 14°C82 mmGreat
20°C / 12°C82 mmFair
August
23°C / 14°C95 mmGreat
19°C / 12°C77 mmFair
September
20°C / 11°C77 mmFair
17°C / 10°C55 mmFair
October
15°C / 8°C90 mmWet
14°C / 7°C75 mmFair
November
11°C / 5°C84 mmCold
10°C / 4°C68 mmCold
December
8°C / 3°C77 mmCold
8°C / 2°C74 mmCold
GreatGoodHotColdWetFair
Amsterdam · Best months: June, July, and August
Edinburgh · Best months: May, June, and July

Travelling between Amsterdam and Edinburgh

Planning to visit both? Compare the train, bus and flight options between the two cities.

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Top Attractions in Amsterdam

  • 1Anne Frank House
  • 2Rijksmuseum
  • 3Van Gogh Museum
  • 4Canal Ring
  • 5Vondelpark
  • 6Jordaan District

Top Attractions in Edinburgh

  • 1Edinburgh Castle
  • 2Royal Mile
  • 3Arthur's Seat
  • 4Holyrood Palace
  • 5Scottish National Museum
  • 6Calton Hill

Amsterdam is Popular With

solo travelers
art lovers
couples
cyclists

Edinburgh is Popular With

history buffs
whisky lovers
festival goers
hikers

Hidden Gems

Discover lesser-known attractions in each city

Hidden Gems in Amsterdam

  • 1

    Begijnhof

    A hidden medieval courtyard of 14th-century houses, once home to a lay Catholic sisterhood.

  • 2

    Hortus Botanicus

    One of the world's oldest botanical gardens, founded in 1638 to grow medicinal herbs for the plague.

Hidden Gems in Edinburgh

  • 1

    The Vennel Steps & Viewpoint

    A steep staircase off the Grassmarket leading up to Heriot Place, offering one of the most photographed (and free) framed views of Edinburgh Castle.

  • 2

    Dr. Neil's Garden

    A secret, tranquil garden created by two doctors on the shores of Duddingston Loch, next to the historic Duddingston Kirk.

Neighborhoods to Explore

Discover the best areas to visit in each city

Top Areas in Amsterdam

  • Jordaan

    Once a working-class neighborhood, the Jordaan is now Amsterdam's most charming quarter.

  • De Pijp

    Amsterdam's multicultural heart, centered on the famous Albert Cuyp Market.

Top Areas in Edinburgh

  • Old Town

    The historic heart of Edinburgh, defined by the spine of the Royal Mile running from the Castle to Holyrood.

  • New Town

    A masterpiece of Georgian town planning, offering a stark contrast to the Old Town with its elegant, symmetrical streets, grand squares, and neoclassical facades.

Budget Comparison

Compare the cost of traveling in each city

Budget in Amsterdam

Daily Budget€140-220
Cost Level
expensive

Budget in Edinburgh

Daily Budget£120-200 per day for mid-range (private room/B&B, café lunches, pub dinners, paid attractions, some transport)
Cost Level
expensive

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Hotels close to the centre of Amsterdam, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Motel One Amsterdam - WaterloopleinMid-range

Motel One Amsterdam - Waterlooplein

0.3 km from the centre

€139 / night

Check availability
ibis Amsterdam Centre StoperaMid-range

ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera

0.3 km from the centre

€118 / night

Check availability
Monet Garden Hotel AmsterdamUpscale

Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam

0.3 km from the centre

€114 / night

Check availability
Plantage Hortus ApartmentsUpscale

Plantage Hortus Apartments

0.4 km from the centre

€125 / night

Check availability
Compare the best neighbourhoods to stay in Amsterdam

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Hotels close to the centre of Edinburgh, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Motel One Edinburgh - PrincesMid-range

Motel One Edinburgh - Princes

0.1 km from the centre

€97 / night

Check availability
Parliament House HotelMid-range

Parliament House Hotel

0.2 km from the centre

€81 / night

Check availability
Roomzzz EdinburghUpscale

Roomzzz Edinburgh

0.1 km from the centre

€101 / night

Check availability
Princes Street SuitesUpscale

Princes Street Suites

0.1 km from the centre

€143 / night

Check availability
Compare the best neighbourhoods to stay in Edinburgh

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Getting There

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