A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Heidelberg can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a quaint, energetic, and lively town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Heidelberg is known for its food and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is more touristy than Heidelberg and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Edinburgh different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Heidelberg is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Heidelberg is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Heidelberg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Heidelberg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Heidelberg.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Heidelberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and Heidelberg have fantastic historic old towns worth visiting.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

The old town of Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Heidelberg are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Heidelberg is a good city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Heidelberg can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Heidelberg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Heidelberg. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Heidelberg 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

With live music and shopping around the vibrant city of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Edinburgh, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Heidelberg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Edinburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Heidelberg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Heidelberg, 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 Edinburgh or Heidelberg?

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 Edinburgh or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Heidelberg. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

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

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Heidelberg can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Edinburgh is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Edinburgh usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Heidelberg in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Edinburgh