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

Should you visit Kiel or Arles?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Arles? 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 authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and waterfront city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Arles is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Kiel different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. 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.

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

Arles is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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 Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Kiel or Arles Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beach. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Arles Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles 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.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Kiel or Arles Better for Families?

Kiel is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kiel. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Kiel or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Arles Better for Students?

Kiel is very good for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Kiel is popular with students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Arles 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 Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

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

Is Kiel or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles 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.

Arles is a very walkable town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kiel or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kiel than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Kiel, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Arles?

In Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this off-the-beaten-path destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kiel or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Arles?

Kiel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kiel. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kiel or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the maritime destination of Kiel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The compact town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Kiel and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Arles?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Kiel or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Arles. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Kiel during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kiel is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kiel usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Arles. Many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Kiel is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives less rain than Arles. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kiel or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Kiel