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

Should you visit Kiel or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Reykjavik? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Kiel and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kiel is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, and big city activities, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also well known for The Kiel Castle.

How is Kiel different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Kiel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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)

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Kiel or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Kiel or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Reykjavik?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Kiel or Reykjavik Better for Families?

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

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for 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 Reykjavik Better for Students?

Kiel and Reykjavik are nice 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 Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

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

Is Kiel or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore 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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Reykjavik?

In either Kiel or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Kiel because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Kiel, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the maritime destination of Kiel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Kiel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Kiel or Reykjavik?

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The friendly city of Reykjavik offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Reykjavik?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

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

In July, Kiel is generally a little warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Kiel is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Kiel can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kiel is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In April, Kiel is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 7°C (44°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Kiel