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

Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a cultural, charming, and historical 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 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Bucharest and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Kiel?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kiel than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Kiel, Kiel has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kiel is better known for its beaches, while Bucharest is more popular for its historical sights. Kiel is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Bucharest and Kiel.

Bucharest offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

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 Bucharest or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bucharest and Kiel.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

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 Bucharest or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Kiel.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

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 Bucharest or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a good destination for the beache. However, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a popular place for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bucharest to see the old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Kiel?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kiel and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

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 Bucharest or Kiel Better for Families?

Kiel is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest 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, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Kiel Better for Couples?

Kiel is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

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 Bucharest or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

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

Bucharest has some very good public transit options. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

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

Is Bucharest or Kiel a more walkable city?

Bucharest and Kiel both are notable when exploring on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Kiel?

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

Families should spend more time in Kiel than Bucharest. 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 Bucharest. 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest.

One day in Bucharest or Kiel?

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

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 Bucharest or Kiel?

Bucharest 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront 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 Bucharest or Kiel?

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

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 Bucharest or Kiel?

The less touristy city of Bucharest offers nightlife and food. 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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Kiel?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bucharest is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°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 Bucharest. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Kiel. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bucharest is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Kiel. Many visitors come to Bucharest 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. Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Kiel. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Kiel. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Bucharest is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiel. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Bucharest