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

Should you visit Kiel or Lille?

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

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

Lille

Lille is a culinary, friendly, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Kiel and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Lille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kiel than Lille. While Lille is larger than Kiel, Kiel has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kiel is better known for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. 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. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Kiel different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille 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, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Lille is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Kiel or Lille Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lille is not a beach destination.

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Lille?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Lille make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Kiel or Lille Better for Families?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Kiel or Lille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kiel and Lille 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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Kiel or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

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 Lille Better for Students?

Lille is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

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

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

Lille has some very good public transit options. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Kiel or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Lille?

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Lille?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

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.

Lille is a fun place to experience. 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 Lille?

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 food and shopping around the friendly destination of Lille. This city 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 Lille?

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 Lille offers shopping and nightlife. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Lille, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Lille. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Kiel is around the same temperature as Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Lille. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Kiel is cooler than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Kiel can be very cold during winter. In January, Kiel is generally much colder than Lille. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Lille during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Kiel or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

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

In the spring, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Lille. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Kiel