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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Kiel?

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 Kiel 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 character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and theater.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Kiel. Edinburgh is bigger than Kiel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Kiel is more popular for its food and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Edinburgh different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. 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 Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is well known for its theatre productions. However, Kiel is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Kiel is not a theatre destination.

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

Kiel is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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)

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 Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Edinburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. 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 Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Kiel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Kiel is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a city with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kiel. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Edinburgh can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Kiel?

Edinburgh is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Families?

Edinburgh is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. 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 Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Kiel is a good city 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 Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. 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.

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 Edinburgh or Kiel Better for Students?

Edinburgh is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Edinburgh 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 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.

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

Is Edinburgh or Kiel a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Kiel?

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

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Kiel. 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 Kiel. 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 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Kiel?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Kiel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the off-the-beaten-path city of Kiel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Kiel?

The character-filled city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. 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 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 Edinburgh and Kiel, we can see that Edinburgh 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 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 Kiel.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Kiel?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Kiel?

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 Edinburgh or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Kiel. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Kiel. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kiel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Kiel can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kiel. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Kiel. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Edinburgh