A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kiel vs. Montpellier for Attractions, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kiel or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Montpellier? 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Kiel and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Kiel and Montpellier are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its big city activities, while Montpellier is known for its museums, beaches, historical sights, shopping, 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. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Kiel different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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 Montpellier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Kiel and Montpellier offer a number of good 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)

Montpellier is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Kiel or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Kiel or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

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

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

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 Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Montpellier can be explored in its historical center. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Montpellier?

Montpellier is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Montpellier is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

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 Montpellier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kiel or Montpellier.

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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Kiel or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a great city to visit for backpackers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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 Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

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

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

Montpellier has some very good public transit options. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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

Is Kiel or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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 Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Montpellier?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the maritime city of Kiel. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Kiel. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

The maritime city of Kiel offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kiel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The historic city of Montpellier 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Kiel during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In October, Kiel is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kiel usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Montpellier. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kiel or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Montpellier. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In the spring, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in April than Montpellier. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Kiel