A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Mainz for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Helsinki or Mainz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Mainz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a peaceful, historic, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Helsinki and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Mainz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Mainz than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Mainz, Mainz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Mainz is very popular for its food and historical sights, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also well known for The Mainz Cathedral. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Helsinki different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mainz and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Mainz?

Helsinki is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Mainz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a very popular place for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Mainz is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Mainz?

Helsinki is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Families?

Helsinki is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly destination. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Mainz are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Mainz are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Mainz are great destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Is Helsinki or Mainz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find great public transit in both Helsinki and Mainz.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Mainz offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Helsinki or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Helsinki or Mainz. In our opinion, Helsinki has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Helsinki than Mainz. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Helsinki or Mainz?

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this environmentally conscious destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful town of Mainz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mainz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Mainz?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Helsinki and Mainz, we can see that Mainz 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Mainz?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Mainz, 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 Helsinki or Mainz?

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 Helsinki or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In July, Helsinki is generally cooler than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Mainz. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Helsinki is much colder than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Mainz. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Mainz in the Winter?

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

Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Mainz. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Mainz. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Helsinki