A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Graz vs. Cologne for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Graz or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Graz or Cologne? 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.

Graz

Graz is a beautiful, medieval, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cologne

Cologne is a accessible, vibrant, and colorful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Cologne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne than Graz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cologne is more popular for its christmas markets and big city activities, while Graz is known for its food and historical sights. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Cologne is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Graz different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Graz or Cologne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Graz and Cologne.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Graz or Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Graz is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Graz is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Graz and Cologne.

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Cologne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Graz is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Graz offers plenty to see. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Cologne?

If you're looking to go shopping, Graz and Cologne both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Graz is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Graz does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, Cologne is a top place to visit during Christmas. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Graz does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for visiting Christmas markets. However, Graz does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Graz does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Cologne.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Graz is very family-friendly. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Couples?

Graz is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Graz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Cologne are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Graz. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Students?

For students, both Graz and Cologne are high quality places to visit.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Is Graz or Cologne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Cologne has a great public transit system. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Graz offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Graz or Cologne a more walkable city?

Graz is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Graz on foot is easy. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

Cologne is very walkable. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Graz Worth Visiting? and Is Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Graz?

How long in Graz or Cologne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Graz and Cologne. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Graz than Cologne. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Graz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cologne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Graz than Cologne 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 Graz.

One day in Graz or Cologne?

In Graz, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Cologne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Cologne?

In Graz, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Graz has to offer.

Cologne 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.

Five days in Graz or Cologne?

Graz is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun big city of Cologne. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Cologne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Graz. 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.

The fun city of Cologne offers nightlife and food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Cologne, 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 Graz or Cologne?

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 Graz or Cologne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Graz as well as Cologne. The summer months attract visitors to Graz because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In the summer, Graz is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In the summer, Graz often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Cologne. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Cologne. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Graz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Graz. Graz is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Cologne. Many visitors come to Graz in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Graz is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Graz