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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Calais?

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 Calais. 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 historic, quaint, and energetic 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Heidelberg and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Heidelberg. While Heidelberg is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Heidelberg different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Calais 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 Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beach. However, Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

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

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Calais?

If you're looking to go shopping, Heidelberg and Calais both offer plenty of nice spots.

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Calais is a great destination for shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Calais are nice 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.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Heidelberg or Calais Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a popular place for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Heidelberg or Calais a more walkable city?

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

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Calais?

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Calais?

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Heidelberg or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Heidelberg or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Heidelberg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Calais 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Heidelberg and Calais, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Calais?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

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

Heidelberg is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais 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 Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Calais. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Calais. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Calais in the Spring?

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

Heidelberg is a little warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Calais. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Heidelberg