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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Kiel, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and waterfront city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Amsterdam and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Kiel. Amsterdam is bigger than Kiel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kiel is more popular for its food and beaches. Amsterdam is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Amsterdam different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

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 Amsterdam or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Kiel. 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)

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. 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 Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Kiel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Kiel is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Families?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kiel. 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Amsterdam or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Kiel is popular with students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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

Is Amsterdam or Kiel a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Kiel. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

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

One day in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Kiel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam is a canal-lined big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Kiel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam is a scenic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Kiel?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Kiel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Kiel. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Kiel. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In January, Amsterdam is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Kiel. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Kiel. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Amsterdam is a little warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiel. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Amsterdam