A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Linz for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kos or Linz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Linz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a ancient, cultural, and party-hard island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Linz

Linz is a historic, beautiful, and cultural town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Linz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Linz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kos. Although Kos and Linz are popular destinations, Kos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kos is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Linz attracts visitors for its historical sights and shopping. Linz is more touristy than Kos and is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Kos is famous for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. It is also well known for Asklepieion Archeological Site.

How is Kos different from Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Linz and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Linz?

Kos is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kos are among the most recognizable in the world. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kos or Linz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Nightlife?

Kos is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

Kos offers plenty to do in the evening. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Resorts?

Kos is a island with good options for its resorts. However, Linz is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Kos makes a nice vacation spot. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Linz is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Linz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kos is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Linz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Beaches?

Kos is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Linz is not a beach destination.

Kos is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Linz is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Linz Better for its Old Town?

Linz is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Linz is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Hiking?

Kos is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Linz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kos. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Linz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Linz?

Linz is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Kos offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Families?

Both Kos and Linz are nice to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Linz. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Couples?

Both Kos and Linz are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Couples visit Linz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kos is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

Is Kos or Linz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Kos can get you to some places easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Kos or Linz a more walkable city?

Kos and Linz are great when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Linz is a very walkable island. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Linz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Linz or Kos?

How long in Kos or Linz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or Linz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kos than Linz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Linz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Linz 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Linz?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kos. 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.

With shopping and museums around the cultural destination of Linz, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Linz?

Kos 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.

Many people visit Linz for a weekend. With museums and food around the historic town of Linz, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Linz?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Kos. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

The destination of Linz offers food and shopping. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Kos or Linz?

The vibrant island of Kos 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.

Linz, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Linz?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Linz, 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.