A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aberdeen vs. Kiel for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Aberdeen or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Aberdeen or Kiel? 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.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a architectural, authentic, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Aberdeen and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aberdeen or Kiel?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Aberdeen than Kiel. While Kiel is larger than Aberdeen, Aberdeen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Aberdeen is very popular for its museums and historical sights, while Kiel attracts visitors for its beaches. Aberdeen is famous for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. It is also well known for St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Aberdeen different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aberdeen or Kiel?

Aberdeen is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Aberdeen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Is the Food Better in Aberdeen or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Aberdeen and Kiel can be an enjoyable experience.

Aberdeen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Kiel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Both Aberdeen and Kiel are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kiel. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for its beaches. However, Aberdeen is not a beach destination.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Aberdeen is not a beach destination.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aberdeen or Kiel?

Both Aberdeen and Kiel are nice shopping destinations.

Aberdeen is a great destination for shopping. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kiel. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Families?

Aberdeen is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Aberdeen is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aberdeen and Kiel make for a nice place to visit.

Aberdeen is a nice destination for couples. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Kiel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Students?

Aberdeen and Kiel are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Aberdeen is a good city to visit for students. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Plenty of students visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aberdeen is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Aberdeen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Aberdeen or Kiel a more walkable city?

Aberdeen is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Aberdeen is a very walkable city. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Aberdeen?

How long in Aberdeen or Kiel?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kiel than Aberdeen 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 Kiel.

One day in Aberdeen or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Aberdeen. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Kiel offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Aberdeen or Kiel?

Aberdeen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kiel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kiel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Aberdeen or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Aberdeen. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Aberdeen or Kiel?

The architectural city of Aberdeen offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Kiel is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Aberdeen and Kiel, we can see that Aberdeen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Aberdeen or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Aberdeen. When comparing the sizes of Aberdeen and Kiel, 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 Aberdeen or Kiel?

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 Aberdeen or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aberdeen and Kiel. The summer months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the summer, Aberdeen is cooler than Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aberdeen in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during summer. Aberdeen gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aberdeen usually receives less rain than Kiel. Aberdeen gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aberdeen as well as Kiel. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Aberdeen is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 9°C (49°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Aberdeen gets 93 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Aberdeen gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Aberdeen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aberdeen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aberdeen. Aberdeen is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Aberdeen usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Aberdeen gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aberdeen usually receives more rain than Kiel. Aberdeen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Aberdeen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Aberdeen in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Aberdeen is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aberdeen in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Aberdeen gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiel. Aberdeen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Aberdeen