A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grindelwald vs. Heidelberg for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Grindelwald and Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a breathtaking, beautiful, and adventure-filled town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and nightlife.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Grindelwald and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Grindelwald. Although Grindelwald and Heidelberg are popular destinations, Grindelwald has more sights and attractions for tourists. Grindelwald is very popular for its skiing, museums, hiking, and small town charm, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Grindelwald is famous for its stunning views, beautiful hikes, and breathtaking scenery. It is also well known for the beautiful mountain scenery. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

The beautiful mountain scenery

How is Grindelwald different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Skiing?

Grindelwald is a great town for skiing. However, Heidelberg is not a skiing destination.

Grindelwald draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. Most of the skiing in the area is best for intermediate level skiers. There are also some places for beginners to ski, but not a lot of options for advanced skiers. The resort is relatively large with 30 lifts and some cross country skiing options as well.

Heidelberg is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Grindelwald is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Grindelwald. If you happen to have poor weather, there are very few indoor activities around town. The area is all about the views and the outdoor setting, so weather is key when visiting.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Grindelwald. You'll find a casual pizza joint, a cafe, fine dining, and a handful of other restaurants in town.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Heidelberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

If you're looking for night time activities Grindelwald has a few options to choose from. You'll find the most bars of any of the Jungfrau ski resorts in town. Most are attached to a hotel and offer a nice place to enjoy a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Grindelwald does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Heidelberg is revered around the world. 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.

Grindelwald does not have a historic old town.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Hiking?

Grindelwald is an amazing town to visit for hiking. However, Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Grindelwald is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hiking in the area offers spectacular views of the Bernese Alps including Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, and Breithorn. There are trails that cater to all levels and hiking is the best way to explore the countryside.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is very good for its shopping areas. However, Grindelwald is not particularly known for shopping.

Many visitors go to Heidelberg to go 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.

Grindelwald is a good destination for shopping. There are places to pick up sporting equipment that you may have forgotten. Many shops are seasonal and the turnover is frequent as the tourist season ebbs and flows.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Grindelwald is a great town 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 Grindelwald. The area is filled with outdoor adventures like hiking, ziplining, and cog railways. There are hikes for every age and skill level and older kids will enjoy the ropes courses and other outdoor activities.

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 Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Both Grindelwald and Heidelberg are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Grindelwald frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Most people don't visit for the town itself, but instead for the many outdoor adventures in the area. Couples that enjoy hiking and skiing will appreciate a visit to this beautiful alpine setting.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Grindelwald and Heidelberg are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Grindelwald is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a decent number of hostels in the area, so the town makes a good base for backpackers.

Heidelberg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is very good for students. However, Grindelwald is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is popular with 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.

Grindelwald is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg is well known for its public transit. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

While Grindelwald offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses that travel around the region.

Is Grindelwald or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Grindelwald is somewhat walkable. Most places in town can be reached on foot but there can be a lot of traffic on the main thoroughfares.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Grindelwald?

How long in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heidelberg than Grindelwald 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 Heidelberg.

One day in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Grindelwald might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Grindelwald, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively town of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Even though Grindelwald is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Grindelwald, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The lively town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Grindelwald is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Heidelberg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, 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 Grindelwald and Heidelberg, we can see that Grindelwald is more expensive. And not only is Heidelberg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heidelberg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heidelberg 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 Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald than you might in Heidelberg.

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

Which is Bigger, Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Grindelwald. When comparing the sizes of Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald or Heidelberg?

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 Grindelwald or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Grindelwald during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Grindelwald in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Grindelwald is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grindelwald. In the summer, Grindelwald often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in July than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grindelwald and Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Grindelwald for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Grindelwald is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grindelwald in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Grindelwald gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grindelwald as well as Heidelberg. The winter months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in Grindelwald can be very cold. In January, Grindelwald is generally much warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Grindelwald average around 5°C (41°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Grindelwald often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Grindelwald are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

Grindelwald is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Grindelwald gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. In April, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Grindelwald gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Grindelwald