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

Should you visit Dundee or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Kiel? 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.

Dundee

Dundee is a cultural, historic, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dundee and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel than Dundee. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kiel is more touristy than Dundee and is known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also well known for The Kiel Castle. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

How is Dundee different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Dundee and Kiel have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dundee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Kiel offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Dundee or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dundee and Kiel can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Dundee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Kiel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Dundee or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Both Dundee and Kiel are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Dundee or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for its beaches. However, Dundee is not a beach destination.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Dundee is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Kiel?

Kiel is a popular place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Kiel is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Is Dundee or Kiel Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Kiel.

Dundee is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Kiel is a family-friendly city. 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 Dundee or Kiel Better for Couples?

Kiel is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Kiel is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Kiel Better for Students?

Dundee and Kiel are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Dundee is a good city to visit for students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Plenty of students visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Dundee is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dundee, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has a public bus system.

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

Is Dundee or Kiel a more walkable city?

Dundee and Kiel both are nice when exploring on foot.

Dundee is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walks through the town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Kiel?

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

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

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

One day in Dundee or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dundee. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Kiel?

Dundee is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Kiel 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.

Five days in Dundee or Kiel?

You'll find food and museums around the coastal destination of Dundee. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Dundee or Kiel?

The coastal city of Dundee offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Kiel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Kiel, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Kiel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiel 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 Dundee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dundee than you might in Kiel.

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee 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 Dundee 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 Dundee or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Kiel. The summer months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the summer, Dundee is cooler than Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dundee in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives less rain than Kiel. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dundee or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Kiel. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Dundee is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 10°C (49°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Dundee 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 Dundee or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dundee. Dundee is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dundee usually receives more rain than Kiel. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dundee or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Dundee during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dundee in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Dundee is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dundee in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Dundee