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

Should you visit Kiel or Howth?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Howth? 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Kiel and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Howth?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kiel than Howth, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kiel is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle.

How is Kiel different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Both Kiel and Howth offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Kiel. 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)

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Kiel is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is well known for the beache. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

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

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Howth?

Kiel is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kiel or Howth.

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.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kiel and Howth make for a notable 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.

Howth is a good city for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Kiel or Howth Better for Students?

Kiel is a popular place for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

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

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Howth 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 Howth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

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

Is Kiel or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth 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.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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 Howth Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Howth or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kiel or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kiel than Howth 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 Howth.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Howth?

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 museums and food when visiting the destination of Howth. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kiel or Howth?

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.

Howth is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Howth?

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 food around the scenic destination of Howth. This fishing village 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 Howth?

You'll find food and shopping around the off-the-beaten-path 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 coastal fishing village of Howth offers food and museums. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

When is the best time to visit Kiel or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

Both Howth and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

Kiel is around the same temperature as Howth in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Howth during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Howth. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Kiel during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Kiel is cooler than Howth. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Howth averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Howth. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Howth in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Howth. Many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. In January, Kiel is generally much colder than Howth. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Howth during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives less rain than Howth. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kiel or Howth in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Howth. Many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Kiel is cooler than Howth in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Howth. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Howth. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Howth and Kiel