A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Cologne vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cologne or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg? 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a accessible, vibrant, and colorful city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Cologne and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its museums, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cologne is famous for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cologne is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cologne. 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cologne and Heidelberg.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Heidelberg for the nightlife scene. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Heidelberg?

Cologne is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cologne. 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Heidelberg does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in Cologne. 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.

Heidelberg does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit Cologne because of the beautiful Christmas markets. 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.

Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Cologne is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cologne. 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. 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 Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is well known for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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

Is Cologne or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Cologne is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Cologne. 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.

Heidelberg is a good city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Cologne is top-notch. 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.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Cologne or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Cologne and Heidelberg both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

One day in Cologne or Heidelberg?

When visiting Cologne, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cologne, one day is sufficent for most.

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 Cologne or Heidelberg?

When visiting Cologne, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Five days in Cologne or Heidelberg?

Cologne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Cologne or Heidelberg?

Cologne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Historical Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Heidelberg?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Heidelberg, 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 Cologne or Heidelberg?

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 Cologne or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Heidelberg. The autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the autumn, Cologne is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Heidelberg. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Cologne is cooler than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Cologne