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

Should you visit Kiel or Gjovik?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Gjovik? 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 maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a friendly, relaxed, and accessible town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Gjovik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Gjovik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Kiel and Gjovik are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Gjovik is known for its food. Kiel is more touristy than Gjovik and 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. Gjovik is popular for its beautiful surrounding countryside and nice landscape.

How is Kiel different from Gjovik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Kiel and Gjovik.

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 Gjovik. There are a handful of sights and attractions near town such as the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall and the Royal Palace.

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

Gjovik 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 Gjovik. You'll find many local restaurants that range from fine dining opportunities to local cafes. Dishes usually include local ingredients that are fresh and high quality.

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 Gjovik Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Gjovik has a few options to choose from. You'll find some bars and pubs around town as well as a couple of nightclubs.

Is Kiel or Gjovik Better for Beaches?

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

Gjovik is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Gjovik?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Gjovik 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.

Gjovik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The town center has some nice retail shops with clothing and other interesting items.

Is Kiel or Gjovik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kiel or Gjovik.

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.

Gjovik offers lots of family activities. You'll find a combination of museums and outdoor adventure activities. There are climbing parks, Olympic centers, and art galleries that the whole family can enjoy.

Is Kiel or Gjovik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kiel and Gjovik make for a good place to visit.

Kiel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Gjovik is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find romantic hotels and many great museums or outdoor parks that couples will appreciate.

Is Kiel or Gjovik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Gjovik. There's at least one hostel around town, and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Gjovik Better for Students?

Kiel and Gjovik are good 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 Gjovik. The location offers access to much of what Norway has to offer, making it a nice place to base yourself while you're studying.

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

Gjovik 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 Gjovik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel through town.

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

Is Kiel or Gjovik a more walkable city?

Kiel and Gjovik both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Gjovik is a somewhat walkable city. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas as well as walking paths just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Gjovik or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Gjovik?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kiel and Gjovik. In our opinion, Gjovik has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Gjovik than Kiel. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Kiel or Gjovik?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Gjovik. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kiel or Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik is a fun place to experience. 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 Gjovik?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Gjovik. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kiel or Gjovik?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic 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.

The friendly town of Gjovik 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Gjovik?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Gjovik. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Gjovik, 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Gjovik. 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 Gjovik for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is around the same temperature as Gjovik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Gjovik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gjovik. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Gjovik. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 246 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gjovik. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Gjovik in the Autumn?

Both Gjovik and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Gjovik in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Kiel is generally a little warmer than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Gjovik during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Gjovik in the Winter?

Both Gjovik and Kiel during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gjovik can be very cold during winter. Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Kiel is much warmer than Gjovik in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gjovik. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 40 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Gjovik. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Gjovik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Gjovik. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Kiel is a little warmer than Gjovik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Gjovik averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gjovik during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives more rain than Gjovik. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Kiel