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

Should you visit Kaunas or Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg. 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 active, young, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Kaunas and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kaunas than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kaunas is very popular for its big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. It is also well known for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Heidelberg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Heidelberg is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. 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.

Is Kaunas or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is renowned for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Heidelberg to go 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.

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 Heidelberg Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Heidelberg are nice family-friendly destinations.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly city. 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 Kaunas or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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 Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Kaunas or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Kaunas and Heidelberg are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. 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.

Plenty of students 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.

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

Heidelberg is notable 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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

Is Kaunas or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

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

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kaunas or Heidelberg?

With food and nightlife around the young city of Kaunas, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kaunas, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Heidelberg?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kaunas, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

Kaunas, a popular city, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Heidelberg?

Kaunas is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Heidelberg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 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 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Heidelberg?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Heidelberg. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

Kaunas is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, 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 Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.

Kaunas is much colder than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Kaunas