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

Should you visit Graz or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Graz or Kiel? 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

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

Graz and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel. Although Graz and Kiel are roughly the same size, Kiel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kiel is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Graz is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle.

How is Graz different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Graz is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Graz. 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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)

Is Graz or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

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

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 Graz or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for the beache. However, Graz is not a beach destination.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Graz or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Kiel?

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

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

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 Graz or Kiel Better for Families?

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

Graz is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

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 Graz or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

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.

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 Graz or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Graz is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

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 Graz or Kiel Better for Students?

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

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.

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

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

Graz is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Graz has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

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

Is Graz or Kiel a more walkable city?

Graz 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 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Graz?

How long in Graz or Kiel?

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

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

One day in Graz or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Graz. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kiel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Kiel?

Graz 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.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Graz. This city 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Kiel. 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 Kiel?

The cultural city of Graz offers nightlife and food. 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.

The authentic city of Kiel 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 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 Graz and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz 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 Graz 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 Graz or Kiel in the Summer?

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

Graz is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In the summer, Graz often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Kiel. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives less rain than Kiel. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Graz. In January, Graz is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 1°C (34°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Graz or Kiel in the Spring?

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

Graz is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Graz