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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Naples?

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 Naples. 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Naples

Naples is a authentic, gritty, and colorful city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Naples?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Heidelberg different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Naples 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 Naples, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Naples offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Heidelberg or Naples Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Naples?

Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

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 Naples Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Naples 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.

Naples is a family-friendly place to visit. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Heidelberg or Naples Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Naples both great 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.

Naples is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Heidelberg or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Heidelberg and Naples are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Heidelberg or Naples Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Naples are nice places to visit.

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.

Naples is a good town to visit for students. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Heidelberg and Naples 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 Naples. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Heidelberg or Naples a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Naples are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Naples?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Heidelberg 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 Naples.

One day in Heidelberg or Naples?

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.

When visiting Naples, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Naples, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Naples?

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.

When visiting Naples, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Naples?

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.

Naples, 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint 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.

Naples 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Heidelberg and Naples, 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 Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Naples. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Heidelberg is cooler than Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Naples. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Naples because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is cooler than Naples. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Naples averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Naples. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Heidelberg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In January, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Naples. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Naples. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Naples. The natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Naples for the activities around the city.

Heidelberg is cooler than Naples in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Naples during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Naples. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Heidelberg