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

Should you visit Cologne or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Toulon? 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cologne and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Toulon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cologne than Toulon. Cologne is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cologne is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Cologne is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. Also, Cologne is famous for The Cologne Cathedral. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cologne is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Cologne and Toulon 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 Toulon. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Cologne offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cologne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Cologne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a popular place for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

Toulon is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Cologne to see the historical 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Toulon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Toulon 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Christmas?

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

Cologne is a world class destination during the Christmas season. 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.

Toulon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Families?

Cologne is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cologne is 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Toulon make for a notable 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.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Toulon are notable 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.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Cologne or Toulon Better for Students?

Cologne is a well-known place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Cologne or Toulon a more walkable city?

Cologne and Toulon both are great 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.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cologne or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cologne than Toulon 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 Toulon.

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon?

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port 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 Toulon?

Cologne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Toulon, 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 Toulon has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Toulon?

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

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Toulon. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cologne is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Toulon. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cologne is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Toulon in the Winter?

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

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Cologne is much colder than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives less rain than Toulon. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cologne is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Toulon. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Cologne