City Map Compare/Paris vs Amsterdam
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Paris

105 km²

Amsterdam

219 km²

Paris vs Amsterdam - City Size Comparison

Paris vs Amsterdam - City Size Comparison

Paris

France

Area105 km²
Population2.16M
Density20,571 /km²
Elevation35 m
Metro Pop.12.3M
Founded250 BC
Climateoceanic
Amsterdam

Netherlands

Area219 km²
Population0.92M
Density4,201 /km²
Elevation-2 m
Metro Pop.2.5M
Founded1275
Climateoceanic

Area Comparison

Paris is 2.1x smaller than Amsterdam

Population Comparison

Paris has 2.3x more people than Amsterdam

Is Paris Bigger Than Amsterdam?

Yes — Amsterdam is 2.1x larger than Paris by area. Amsterdam spans 219 km² (85 mi²) while Paris covers 105 km² (41 mi²) — a difference of 114 km². You could fit Paris inside Amsterdam approximately 2 times.

To put Paris's size in perspective, its area of 105 km² is about 1.2x smaller than San Francisco. Meanwhile, Amsterdam at 219 km² is about 1.2x the size of Washington D.C..

In more relatable units, Paris's 105 km² is about 15,000 American football fields, 52 times the area of Monaco, or 31 times the area of Central Park. For Amsterdam, that's about 31,000 American football fields, 110 times the area of Monaco, or 64 times the area of Central Park.

About Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.04 million in an area of 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi), and a metropolitan population of 13.2 million as of January 2026. Located on the river Seine in the centre of the Île-de-France region, it is the largest metropolitan area and fourth-most populous city in the European Union (EU).

Known as "City of Light", Paris covers 105 km² with a population of 2.2 million. The city was founded around 250 BC. Paris is known for Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Paris Métro.

Paris packs 2.04 million people into just 105 km2, giving it one of the highest urban densities in Europe.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nicknamed "Venice of the North", Amsterdam has an area of 219 km² and is home to 0.9 million people. The city dates back to 1275. Visitors come for Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the GVB (Metro & Tram).

Amsterdam's historic canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, earning it the nickname Venice of the North

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Paris metropolitan area covers 17,174 km², which is 6.7x larger than greater Amsterdam at 2,580 km². The Paris metro area is also more populous, with 12.3 million people compared to 2.5 million.

Population Density

Paris has a population density of 20,571 people per km² — one of the most densely packed urban areas on Earth. Amsterdam, with 4,201 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Paris is dramatically more crowded, with 4.9x the population density.

Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Paris (France) and Amsterdam (Netherlands) offer a fascinating regional contrast.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a oceanic climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.

Key Differences at a Glance

Size Ratio

Paris fits inside Amsterdam ~2 times

Density Gap

Paris is 4.9x more densely populated

History

Paris is ~1,525 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Paris

Paris covers 105 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Barcelona (101 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Vancouver (115 km²), San Francisco (121 km²), or Copenhagen (91 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Amsterdam

Amsterdam covers 219 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Helsinki (214 km²), Osaka (225 km²), Boston (232 km²), Buenos Aires (203 km²), or Kuala Lumpur (243 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, Paris or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is 2.1 times larger than Paris by area. Amsterdam covers 219 km² while Paris spans 105 km², a difference of 114 km².
How many times does Paris fit inside Amsterdam?
Paris (105 km²) fits inside Amsterdam (219 km²) approximately 2 times. That means Amsterdam is 2.1x the area of Paris.
What is the population difference between Paris and Amsterdam?
Paris has approximately 2.2 million people, while Amsterdam has about 0.9 million. Paris has 1.2 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Paris or Amsterdam?
Paris is more densely populated with 20,571 people per km², compared to 4,201 people per km².
Which city is older, Paris or Amsterdam?
Paris is older, founded around -250, while Amsterdam was established around 1275 — a difference of about 1525 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Paris and Amsterdam

The straight-line distance from Paris to Amsterdam is 430 km (267 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~1h. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.

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