A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kiel vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Kiel or Annecy?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Annecy? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Kiel

Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a quaint, storybook, and charming alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kiel and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Kiel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities. Annecy is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Kiel different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kiel or Annecy?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Kiel and Annecy.

Kiel offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Kiel or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Annecy is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Kiel and Annecy.

Kiel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Annecy can be explored in its historical center. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Annecy?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Annecy and Kiel.

Kiel offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Annecy has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly alpine town. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Annecy makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Annecy is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Students?

Kiel is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Kiel or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Annecy is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Annecy, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Kiel or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Kiel Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Kiel or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Kiel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Kiel 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 Annecy.

One day in Kiel or Annecy?

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

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kiel or Annecy?

Kiel 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.

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kiel or Annecy?

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

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This alpine town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kiel or Annecy?

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

Because Annecy is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Annecy?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Annecy, 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 Kiel or Annecy?

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 Kiel or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Kiel during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kiel is cooler than Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kiel. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Annecy. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Annecy. Many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kiel is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Annecy. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Annecy. Many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can be very cold during winter. Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kiel is generally much colder than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Annecy because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Kiel is much colder than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives less rain than Annecy. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Kiel