A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. Cologne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Inverness or Cologne?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Cologne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a local, historic, and cultural city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne. Although Inverness and Cologne are both popular with visitors, Cologne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cologne is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is known for its food and small town charm. Inverness is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Cologne is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Inverness different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or Cologne?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Inverness and Cologne.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cologne can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Inverness or Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Inverness is an experience not to be missed. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Cologne offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is very good for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Cologne to see the old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Cologne?

Both Inverness and Cologne are great shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is terrific for its Christmas activities. However, Inverness does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a world class destination during the Christmas season. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Inverness does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is terrific for its Christmas markets. However, Inverness does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Cologne are not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Inverness does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Families?

Cologne is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cologne is a very kid-friendly city. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Cologne are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Students?

Cologne is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Inverness is not popular with students.

Is Inverness or Cologne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is terrific for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Cologne can take you anywhere. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Cologne a more walkable city?

Inverness and Cologne both are great when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Cologne?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cologne than Inverness 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 Cologne.

One day in Inverness or Cologne?

In Inverness, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

People visit Cologne because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cologne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Cologne?

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

People visit Cologne because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Cologne?

Inverness is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Cologne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Cologne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Inverness. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Cologne is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Inverness and Cologne, we can see that Inverness is more expensive. And not only is Cologne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cologne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cologne 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness than you might in Cologne.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Cologne, 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 Inverness or Cologne?

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 Inverness or Cologne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Cologne. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Inverness is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Inverness in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives less rain than Cologne. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Cologne. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In October, Inverness is generally cooler than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 9°C (49°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cologne. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cologne. It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. Inverness is around the same temperature as Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Inverness usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Cologne. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Inverness during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cologne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Inverness is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Inverness in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Inverness