A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cologne vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cologne or Pompeii?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Pompeii? 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 colorful, fun, and accessible 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. Other popular activities here include museums.

Cologne and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne. Although Cologne and Pompeii are popular destinations, Cologne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cologne is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii attracts visitors for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Cologne and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 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.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Pompeii on the map. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Cologne or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cologne is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Cologne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Cologne has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Pompeii?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for visiting Christmas markets. However, Pompeii does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous 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.

Pompeii does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cologne or Pompeii.

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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly destination. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Pompeii make for a nice 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Pompeii are nice 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.

Pompeii is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Cologne or Pompeii Better for Students?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

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

Cologne has a great 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.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Cologne or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cologne or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cologne than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cologne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cologne than Pompeii 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 Cologne or Pompeii?

Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

In Pompeii, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Cologne has to offer.

In Pompeii, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Pompeii?

Cologne 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.

Pompeii 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.

A week in Cologne or Pompeii?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pompeii. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Pompeii. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Cologne and Pompeii, 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Cologne or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Pompeii. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is cooler than Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cologne is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Cologne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much colder than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cologne usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Pompeii. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Cologne