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

Should you visit Bruges or Kiel?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and Kiel. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bruges

Bruges is a cultural, beautiful, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bruges and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Bruges is known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle.

How is Bruges different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije 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 Bruges or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bruges. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Bruges or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Bruges and Kiel.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Bruges or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Kiel offers a nice beach destination. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Bruges can be explored in its historical center. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Kiel?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Kiel both offer plenty of good spots.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Kiel is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Bruges or Kiel Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Kiel are good family-friendly destinations.

Bruges offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Bruges or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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 Bruges or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges 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 Bruges, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

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

Is Bruges or Kiel a more walkable city?

Bruges 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 Bruges on foot is easy. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Kiel?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges 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 Bruges.

One day in Bruges or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Kiel?

Bruges 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bruges or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Kiel?

The historic city of Bruges 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Kiel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges or Kiel?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bruges or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Kiel. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Bruges is a little warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Kiel. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bruges is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kiel. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Kiel. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Bruges is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Kiel. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Bruges