A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heidelberg vs. Pompeii for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Heidelberg or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. 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 energetic, lively, and charming town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

Heidelberg and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pompeii. Although Heidelberg and Pompeii are popular destinations, Pompeii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pompeii is very popular for its museums, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Pompeii is more touristy than Heidelberg and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also well known for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Heidelberg different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is an amazing archeological site to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Heidelberg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Pompeii?

Heidelberg is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a great archeological site 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 Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Heidelberg makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a good town to visit for students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Heidelberg or Pompeii a more walkable city?

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

Pompeii is a very easy archeological site to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heidelberg or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heidelberg than Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

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

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

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums around the famous archeological site of Pompeii, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Pompeii?

In Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer.

With museums around the destination of Pompeii, 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 museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this archeological site.

Five days in Heidelberg or Pompeii?

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii, a popular archeological site, 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 Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Heidelberg and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Heidelberg or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Pompeii. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pompeii in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii this time of the year. In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Pompeii. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the museums.

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

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Heidelberg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Heidelberg