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

Should you visit Cologne or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Montpellier? 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 fun, accessible, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cologne and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Montpellier. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its nightlife, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Montpellier and is known 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. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cologne or Montpellier.

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Montpellier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Cologne and Montpellier can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cologne area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Cologne know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is well known for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier 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, Montpellier offers plenty to see. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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 Montpellier?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Montpellier and Cologne.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Montpellier does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Montpellier does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Montpellier does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in Cologne. 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.

Montpellier does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Families?

Cologne is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Cologne or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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 Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Cologne can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.

Visitors to Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Cologne or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Cologne and Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cologne and Montpellier. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Cologne or Montpellier?

Cologne is a fun city where you can fill many days. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Montpellier, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Montpellier?

Cologne is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Montpellier, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Montpellier has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Montpellier?

The colorful city of Cologne offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Montpellier is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cologne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montpellier. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Montpellier. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Montpellier?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is cooler than Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Montpellier this time of year.

In the autumn, Cologne is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Montpellier. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Montpellier. Many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Cologne is cooler than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montpellier. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Cologne