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

Should you visit Belfast or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and shopping.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Belfast and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel. Although Belfast and Kiel are popular destinations, Kiel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also well known for The Kiel Castle.

How is Belfast different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Kiel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Kiel offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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)

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

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 Belfast or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Kiel?

Both Belfast and Kiel are nice shopping destinations.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

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 Belfast or Kiel Better for Families?

Belfast and Kiel are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Kiel is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or Kiel Better for Couples?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Kiel is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Kiel Better for Students?

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

Belfast is a good city to visit for students. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

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

Both Belfast and Kiel offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

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

Is Belfast or Kiel a more walkable city?

Belfast and Kiel both are nice when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Kiel. In our opinion, Kiel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kiel than Belfast. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kiel than Belfast 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 Belfast or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Kiel, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Belfast or Kiel?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

In Kiel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Kiel?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kiel is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Kiel?

The affordable city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kiel. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Belfast and Kiel, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Kiel?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Kiel. Many visitors come to Belfast in the summer for the city activities 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.

In the summer, Belfast is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belfast in July average around 15°C (59°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. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during summer. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Belfast usually receives less rain than Kiel. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Kiel. Most visitors come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Belfast is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 9°C (48°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Belfast because of 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 Belfast can be very cold. Belfast is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Belfast usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Belfast usually receives more rain than Kiel. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Belfast during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Belfast is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belfast in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiel. Belfast gets 50 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 Belfast