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

Should you visit Graz or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Graz or Heidelberg? 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 medieval, cultural, and historical city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Graz and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Graz than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Graz is more popular for its museums and shopping, while Heidelberg is known for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also home to The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Graz different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Graz is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Graz. 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Graz and Heidelberg.

Graz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Heidelberg is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Graz or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Graz and Heidelberg.

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.

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Graz or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Graz and Heidelberg.

The old town of Graz is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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 Graz or Heidelberg?

Graz 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 Graz. 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.

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 Graz or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Graz 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 Graz. 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.

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 Graz or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Graz and Heidelberg make for a superb place to visit.

Graz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Graz or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Graz or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Graz 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 Graz. 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.

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

Graz and Heidelberg both offer superb public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Graz can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Heidelberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Graz or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Graz 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.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Graz?

How long in Graz or Heidelberg?

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

Families should spend more time in Graz than Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg. 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.

One day in Graz or Heidelberg?

With museums and nightlife around the medieval city of Graz, 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Heidelberg?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Graz, 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.

Heidelberg 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.

Five days in Graz or Heidelberg?

Graz, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Heidelberg. This town offers something for everyone. 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 Graz or Heidelberg?

Graz 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.

The charming town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, 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 Graz and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Heidelberg?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Graz 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 Graz 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 Graz or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Graz is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Graz. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Graz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Graz often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Heidelberg. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Heidelberg. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Graz as well as Heidelberg. Many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Graz is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Graz