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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Lille?

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 Lille. 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 charming, scenic, and character-filled town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lille than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lille is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Heidelberg is known for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also home to Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Heidelberg different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lille is adequate for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lille 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 Lille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Heidelberg and Lille.

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.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Heidelberg or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Heidelberg has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Heidelberg is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Heidelberg or Lille Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Lille is a good town for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Heidelberg or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Lille is a good town to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Heidelberg or Lille Better for Students?

Lille 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 Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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 Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Heidelberg and Lille both offer great 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 Lille. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Heidelberg or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Lille?

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

Families should spend more time in Heidelberg than Lille. 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 Lille. 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.

One day in Heidelberg or Lille?

In Heidelberg, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With shopping and nightlife around the cultural city of Lille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Lille?

Heidelberg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Lille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the lively destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille 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 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 Lille, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Lille?

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

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 Lille in the Summer?

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

In July, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets more sunshine than Lille. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Lille. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Lille in the Autumn?

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

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Lille. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Lille in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In the winter, Heidelberg is cooler than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Lille. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Lille in the Spring?

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

In April, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Lille. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Heidelberg