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

Should you visit Kiel or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Nantes? 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Kiel and Nantes 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 Nantes is known for its museums, food, nightlife, 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. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Kiel different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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 Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes 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, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet 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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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 Nantes Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a popular place for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nantes to see the old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Nantes?

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

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Kiel or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes Better for Students?

Kiel and Nantes 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 Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

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

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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

Is Kiel or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes 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.

Nantes is a very walkable city. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kiel and Nantes. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nantes than Kiel. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Kiel, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Nantes?

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 Nantes. 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 Nantes?

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.

Nantes 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 Nantes?

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 vibrant destination of Nantes. 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 Nantes?

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 beautiful city of Nantes 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kiel is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Nantes. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Kiel during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Kiel is much colder than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Nantes. The spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Kiel