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

Should you visit Kiel or Dijon?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Dijon? 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 waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dijon

Dijon is a relaxing, historical, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Dijon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Dijon than Kiel. While Kiel is larger than Dijon, Dijon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Dijon is very popular for its museums, food, and impressive beauty, while Kiel attracts visitors for its beaches. Dijon is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Kiel different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dijon is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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 Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon 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, Dijon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Dijon has a few options to choose from. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Kiel or Dijon Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for its beaches. However, Dijon is not a beach destination.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Dijon is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Dijon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dijon 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.

Dijon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Kiel or Dijon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kiel or Dijon.

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.

Dijon offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Kiel or Dijon Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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 Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

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 Dijon Better for Students?

Kiel and Dijon are nice places to visit for students.

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

It's common for students to visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Dijon 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 Dijon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

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

Is Kiel or Dijon a more walkable city?

Kiel and Dijon both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Dijon is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Kiel or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon 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 Dijon.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Dijon?

In Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this maritime 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 Dijon. 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 Dijon?

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.

Dijon is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Dijon?

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 culinary destination of Dijon. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kiel or Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic 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 cultural city of Dijon offers nightlife and food. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Kiel and Dijon, we can see that Dijon 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 Dijon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Dijon?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Dijon. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Dijon. The summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

In July, Kiel is generally cooler than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dijon this time of the year. In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Dijon. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Dijon. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kiel is cooler than Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in October than Dijon. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Dijon in the Winter?

Both Dijon and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dijon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. In the winter, Kiel is much colder than Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dijon. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kiel or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dijon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Kiel is generally much colder than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 7°C (44°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dijon. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Kiel