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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Flam?

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 Flam. 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 character-filled, historic, and quaint town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Flam

Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. 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 food and hiking.

Heidelberg and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Flam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heidelberg than Flam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heidelberg is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Flam is more popular for its museums, hiking, and small town charm. Heidelberg is well known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Also, Heidelberg is famous for The Heidelberg Castle. Flam is well known for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Heidelberg different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Flam 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 Flam. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Flam can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flam makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is a great town for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Heidelberg has something for everybody. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. 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.

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is a great village for hiking. However, Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Flam for the hiking trails. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Flam?

Heidelberg is a good destination for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Heidelberg. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for Families?

Flam is a great village 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 Flam. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain 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 Heidelberg or Flam Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Flam both excellent 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.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Heidelberg or Flam Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. 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.

Flam is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.

Visitors to Heidelberg can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Heidelberg or Flam a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Flam are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Flam is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Flam or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heidelberg or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heidelberg than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heidelberg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Heidelberg than Flam. 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 Flam 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 Flam?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

A weekend in Heidelberg or Flam?

Heidelberg 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.

Even though Flam 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this village.

Five days in Heidelberg or Flam?

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Heidelberg. This town 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.

Flam, a popular village, 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.

A week in Heidelberg or Flam?

The historic town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

Flam 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Flam?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Flam, 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 Flam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

In the summer, Heidelberg is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heidelberg in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Flam. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Heidelberg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 12°C (54°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Flam. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Flam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. Heidelberg is much warmer than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Flam. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Flam. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Heidelberg is much warmer than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heidelberg in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Heidelberg