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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Leipzig?

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 Leipzig 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 gothic, ancient, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a growing, dynamic, and cultural city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Leipzig?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Leipzig are popular destinations, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Leipzig attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Leipzig and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Leipzig is famous for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Edinburgh different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Leipzig. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for theatre. However, Leipzig is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Leipzig is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Leipzig has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

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 Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is great for nightlife. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Edinburgh for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Music?

Edinburgh is terrific for live music. However, Leipzig is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Leipzig is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is terrific for its historic old town. However, Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

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.

Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Leipzig?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Leipzig.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Families?

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

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Leipzig is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is great for romance. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Leipzig makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

Leipzig is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

Is Edinburgh or Leipzig Better for Students?

Edinburgh is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Leipzig is not popular with students.

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

Leipzig is not popular with students.

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

Leipzig 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 Leipzig can get you to some places easily. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

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 Leipzig a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is terrific for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Leipzig?

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

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Leipzig. 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 Leipzig. 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 Leipzig 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 Leipzig?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Edinburgh or Leipzig?

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Leipzig. 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 Leipzig?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic city of Leipzig. 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 Leipzig?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Leipzig 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Leipzig?

Leipzig has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Leipzig, 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Leipzig. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Leipzig because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leipzig this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Leipzig during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Leipzig in the Autumn?

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

Edinburgh is cooler than Leipzig in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Leipzig fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Leipzig in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leipzig. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much warmer than Leipzig. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Leipzig averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leipzig during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Leipzig in the Spring?

Both Leipzig and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Leipzig. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Edinburgh