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

Should you visit Istanbul or Heidelberg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Heidelberg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a high-energy, historic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Istanbul and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Istanbul than Heidelberg. Istanbul is bigger than Heidelberg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Istanbul is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is more popular for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere. Istanbul is more touristy than Heidelberg and is popular for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. Also, Istanbul is famous for The Blue Mosque. Heidelberg is well known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Istanbul different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Istanbul is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Istanbul has many famous sights for visitors. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Istanbul 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 Istanbul, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts, the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.

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 Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both Istanbul and Heidelberg.

Istanbul has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.

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.

Is Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Istanbul and Heidelberg both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Istanbul offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Istanbul 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 Istanbul. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.

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 Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Istanbul is a great city 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 Istanbul. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.

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 Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Istanbul and Heidelberg are both great to visit as a couple.

Istanbul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.

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.

Is Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Istanbul is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Istanbul, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Istanbul 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 Istanbul. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.

Heidelberg is a good city 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 Istanbul or Heidelberg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Istanbul is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Istanbul is top-notch. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Istanbul or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Istanbul and Heidelberg both are great when exploring on foot.

Istanbul is very walkable. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Istanbul?

How long in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Istanbul and Heidelberg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Istanbul than in Heidelberg. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.

One day in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

When visiting Istanbul, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Heidelberg offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

When visiting Istanbul, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Istanbul, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg 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 Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Istanbul is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Heidelberg 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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.

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

Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Heidelberg?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Heidelberg, 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 Istanbul or Heidelberg?

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 Istanbul or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Heidelberg. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

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

Istanbul is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Istanbul or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Heidelberg. The spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In April, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Istanbul