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

Should you visit Kaunas or Cologne?

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 Kaunas and Cologne. 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a cultural, active, and young city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and food.

Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Kaunas. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Kaunas different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cologne is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cologne. 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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Kaunas and Cologne.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

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 Kaunas or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Cologne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the nice old town areas in both Kaunas and Cologne.

Kaunas offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Cologne?

Cologne is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Kaunas does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a fantastic destination at Christmas. 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.

Kaunas does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Kaunas does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. 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.

Kaunas does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Families?

Cologne is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Couples?

Cologne is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Cologne are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

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

Is Kaunas or Cologne Better for Students?

Cologne is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Cologne. 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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

Cologne is renowned for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Cologne has a great public transit system. 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.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Cologne a more walkable city?

Cologne is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Cologne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Cologne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cologne than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cologne.

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas. 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Cologne?

In Kaunas, 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.

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Cologne?

In Kaunas, you'll find food and nightlife. 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 Kaunas has to offer.

Cologne 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.

Five days in Kaunas or Cologne?

Kaunas 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. 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.

A week in Kaunas or Cologne?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Cologne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Cologne. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Kaunas is around the same temperature as Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Kaunas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Cologne. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kaunas is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cologne can be very cold during winter. Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Cologne. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Kaunas during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Kaunas is cooler than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Kaunas