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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Heidelberg and Bordeaux. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bordeaux than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bordeaux is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is known for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bordeaux is more touristy than Heidelberg and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Heidelberg different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bordeaux is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bordeaux is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bordeaux, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Heidelberg know how to have a good time. 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 Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Bordeaux are good family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bordeaux is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Bordeaux both superb destinations for a couple.

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.

Bordeaux is a very popular place to visit for couples. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Heidelberg is a good town 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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bordeaux. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Heidelberg or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Bordeaux are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Bordeaux is very walkable. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

In either Heidelberg or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Heidelberg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heidelberg, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heidelberg than Bordeaux 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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

The beautiful town of Heidelberg offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the romantic city of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Heidelberg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heidelberg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Heidelberg is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bordeaux, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heidelberg and Bordeaux, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Bordeaux, 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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux?

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 Heidelberg or Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Bordeaux. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heidelberg is generally around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Heidelberg is cooler than Bordeaux in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bordeaux in the Winter?

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

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Heidelberg is much colder than Bordeaux. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Bordeaux. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Heidelberg is generally around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Heidelberg