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

Should you visit Kiel or Split?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Split? 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Split

Split is a touristy, fun-filled, and budget-friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Split: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Split?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Split than Kiel. While Kiel is larger than Split, Split has more sights and attractions for tourists. Split is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. Also, Split is famous for Diocletian's Palace. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Kiel different from Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Split offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

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 Split? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Split is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Split. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

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 Split Better for Nightlife?

Split is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Split is a world class party destination. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

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 Split Better for Resorts?

Split is well known for its resorts. However, Kiel is not a resort destination.

Split is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

Kiel is not a resort destination.

Is Kiel or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kiel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Split. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

Kiel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kiel or Split Better for Beaches?

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

Split is considered a top beach destination. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni 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 Split Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Split to see the old town. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Split?

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

Split is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

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 Split Better for Families?

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

Split is a very kid-friendly city. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun 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 Split Better for Couples?

Split is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Split makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

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 Split Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Split is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Split. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many 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 Split Better for Students?

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

Split is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

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

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

Split 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 Split, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

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

Is Kiel or Split a more walkable city?

Split 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.

Split is a very walkable city. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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 Split Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Split or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Split?

It's fun to spend time in either Kiel or Split. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Split due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Kiel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Split.

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

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

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

One day in Kiel or Split?

In Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this waterfront 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 nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Split. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Split?

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.

Split is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Split?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the budget-friendly destination of Split. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kiel or Split?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront 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 historic city of Split offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Split?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Split. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Split, 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 Split?

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 Split in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Split. 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 Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kiel is much colder than Split in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Split fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Split. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Split. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Split. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Split in the Autumn?

Both Split and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.

In the autumn, Kiel is much colder than Split. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Split averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Split. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Split during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Kiel or Split in the Winter?

Both Split and Kiel during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. In January, Kiel is generally much colder than Split. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Split. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in January than Split. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Split in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Split. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Kiel is much colder than Split in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Split fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Split during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives less rain than Split. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Split and Kiel