A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Cologne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Canberra or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Cologne? 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.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cologne

Cologne is a colorful, fun, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Cologne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cologne is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Canberra is known for its food and hiking. Cologne is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Canberra different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Cologne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Cologne.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Cologne has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Cologne. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Canberra is a good destination for hiking. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Cologne?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Cologne is well-known for its shopping. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is terrific for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Known for its popular Christmas activities, Cologne draws large crowds. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is terrific for visiting Christmas markets. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Cologne are not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Cologne.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Cologne make for a good place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Cologne are high quality destinations for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Is Canberra or Cologne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Cologne can take you anywhere. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Canberra or Cologne a more walkable city?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Cologne?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cologne than Canberra 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 Cologne.

One day in Canberra or Cologne?

In Canberra, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Cologne is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Canberra or Cologne?

In Canberra, 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 Canberra has to offer.

Cologne 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 Cologne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Cologne?

Canberra 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.

Cologne 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 Canberra or Cologne?

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

Cologne 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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Canberra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and Cologne is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Canberra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Canberra 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Canberra.

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Cologne, 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 Canberra or Cologne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cologne has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Canberra during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In the summer, Canberra is around the same temperature as Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Colognein July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Cologne. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Canberra is generally a little warmer than Colognein October. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Colognein October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Cologne. Many travelers come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Canberra is much warmer than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Colognein January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Canberra is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F)in April.

In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Colognein April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Canberra