A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hamburg vs. Reykjavik for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Hamburg or Reykjavik?

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 Hamburg and Reykjavik can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Hamburg and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hamburg than Reykjavik. Hamburg is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hamburg is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Hamburg is well known for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Also, Hamburg is famous for St. Michael's Church. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Hamburg different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Hamburg can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hamburg or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hamburg is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Hamburg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Music?

Hamburg is an amazing port city to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Hamburg is known as a music capital around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Hamburg or Reykjavik.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is well known for couples. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hamburg and Reykjavik are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hamburg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Hamburg and Reykjavik are notable places to visit for students.

Hamburg is popular with students. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Hamburg or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Hamburg and Reykjavik both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

In either Hamburg or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Hamburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hamburg, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hamburg than Reykjavik 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 Hamburg.

One day in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Hamburg. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hamburg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Hamburg. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

Five days in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant port city of Hamburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hamburg or Reykjavik?

Hamburg 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Reykjavik?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg and Reykjavik, 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 Hamburg or Reykjavik?

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 Hamburg or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Reykjavik. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hamburg is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hamburg in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hamburg this time of the year. In the summer, Hamburg often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Hamburg is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 10°C (50°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Hamburg usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hamburg usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hamburg or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Hamburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. Hamburg is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Hamburg often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Hamburg is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hamburg in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Hamburg usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hamburg usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Hamburg