A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Potsdam for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kaunas or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and food.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a historic, accessible, and compact city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Potsdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Potsdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kaunas than Potsdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Potsdam is known for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. It is also home to The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Potsdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

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 Potsdam Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Kaunas and Potsdam.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Potsdam. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Kaunas or Potsdam Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is very good for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kaunas to see the 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.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Potsdam?

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

Many visitors go to Potsdam to go shopping. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

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 Potsdam Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Potsdam are good 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.

Potsdam is a family-friendly city. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Kaunas or Potsdam Better for Couples?

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

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

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 Potsdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Potsdam are good 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 Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

Is Kaunas or Potsdam Better for Students?

Kaunas is very good for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Kaunas is popular with 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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

Is Kaunas or Potsdam a more walkable city?

Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is a very walkable destination. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored 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 Potsdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Potsdam or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Potsdam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kaunas or Potsdam to fill your time. In our opinion, Potsdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Potsdam than Kaunas. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Kaunas or Potsdam?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Potsdam. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Potsdam?

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.

Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 Potsdam?

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 accessible destination of Potsdam. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Potsdam, we can see that Potsdam 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 Potsdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Potsdam 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 Potsdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Potsdam?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Potsdam. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Potsdam this time of the year. In Kaunas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Potsdam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Potsdam. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Kaunas is cooler than Potsdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in October than Potsdam. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Potsdam in the Winter?

Both Potsdam and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Potsdam averages at about -0°C (31°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Potsdam in the Spring?

Both Potsdam and Kaunas during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

In April, Kaunas is generally cooler than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Potsdam. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Kaunas