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

Should you visit Kos or Munich?

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 Munich 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 beautiful, ancient, and cultural island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Kos and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Munich?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Munich than Kos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Munich is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Kos is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Kos and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Also, Munich is famous for The Nymphenburg Palace. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water.

How is Kos different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kos is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Kos on the map. 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!

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Kos is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is very popular for nightlife. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Munich is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

The people in Kos know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is very popular for live music. However, Kos is not a live music destination.

Munich is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Kos is not a live music destination.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Resorts?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Munich is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. 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.

Munich is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Kos specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Beaches?

Kos is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Kos are among the best in the world. 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.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Hiking?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Munich is not a hiking destination.

Kos has hiking trails worth exploring. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Munich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Munich?

Munich is very popular for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Munich. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. 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.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Couples?

Both Kos and Munich are high quality 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 Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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.

Is Kos or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.

Munich is a very popular city for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Kos is not popular with students.

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

Munich is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Munich has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The public transit in Kos can get you around easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Is Kos or Munich a more walkable city?

Kos and Munich are high quality 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.

Munich is a very walkable island. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Kos?

How long in Kos or Munich?

In either Kos or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Munich has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Munich than Kos. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Kos than Munich. 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 Munich. 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 Munich than Kos 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 Munich.

One day in Kos or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

When visiting Munich, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Munich?

Kos 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.

Many people visit Munich for a weekend. When visiting Munich, people usually allow for lots of time. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

When visiting Munich, people usually allow for lots of time. Many people spend five days here. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Kos or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Munich, a popular city, 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Munich, we can see that Munich is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Munich, 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.