A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dover vs. Kiel for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Dover or Kiel?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dover and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Dover and Kiel are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Dover is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dover is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle.

How is Dover different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dover or Kiel?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dover or Kiel.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dover. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Kiel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Is the Food Better in Dover or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dover and Kiel both to be good destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kiel. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Kiel is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kiel. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beach. However, Dover is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Dover is not a beach destination.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Hiking?

Dover is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dover. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Kiel?

Kiel is very good for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Kiel to go shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Dover or Kiel.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Kiel is a family-friendly town. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Couples?

Dover is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Dover frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Kiel is a good town for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is very good for students. However, Dover is not popular with students.

Kiel is a good city to visit for students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Dover is not popular with students.

Is Dover or Kiel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Dover and Kiel offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Dover or Kiel a more walkable city?

Dover and Kiel both are good when exploring on foot.

Dover is a somewhat walkable town. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

Kiel is somewhat walkable. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Dover Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Dover?

How long in Dover or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dover and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dover than in Kiel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

Families should spend more time in Kiel than Dover. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kiel, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dover than Kiel 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 Dover.

One day in Dover or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Dover. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Kiel?

Dover is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. 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.

Five days in Dover or Kiel?

You'll find museums and food around the iconic destination of Dover. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Dover or Kiel?

The natural town of Dover offers food and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Dover and Kiel, 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 Dover or Kiel?

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 Dover or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Kiel. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 17°C (63°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Dover, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during summer. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dover usually receives less rain than Kiel. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dover or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dover as well as Kiel. The autumn months attract visitors to Dover because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Dover is a little warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Dover often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Dover in the winter. In the winter, Dover is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dover in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Dover usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dover usually receives less rain than Kiel. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dover or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Dover during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dover for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Dover is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 9°C (47°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Dover