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

Should you visit Cologne or Lille?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Lille? 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 vibrant, colorful, and fun 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a fascinating, cultural, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Cologne and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cologne is more popular for its museums, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Lille is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Lille and is known 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. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lille 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 Lille?

Cologne is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cologne can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Lille for the nightlife scene. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is well known for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

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 Lille?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Lille is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Christmas?

Cologne is very popular for its Christmas activities. However, Lille does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a fantastic destination at Christmas. 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.

Lille does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is very popular for its Christmas markets. However, Lille does not offer Christmas markets.

Cologne has some of the best Christmas markets in the world. 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.

Lille does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Families?

Cologne is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Cologne is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Couples?

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

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.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Lille are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Lille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Cologne or Lille Better for Students?

Cologne and Lille are very good places to visit for students.

Cologne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Cologne is very popular for its public transit. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Cologne has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. 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.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Cologne or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Lille?

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

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Lille. 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.

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

One day in Cologne or Lille?

Each neighborhood in Cologne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Lille, 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 Lille has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Lille?

Cologne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Cologne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille 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 Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun big city of Cologne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Lille, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Lille?

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

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 Cologne or Lille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Lille. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cologne is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Lille during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Lille. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Cologne can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cologne is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Lille during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In April, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Cologne