A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Lindau vs. Kiel for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Lindau or Kiel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lindau and Kiel 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.

Lindau

Lindau is a picturesque, fun-filled, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food.

Kiel

Kiel is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and waterfront city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Lindau and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lindau or Kiel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kiel than Lindau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kiel is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lindau is more popular for its food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Lindau is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its lakefront location and quaint old town. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle.

How is Lindau different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lindau or Kiel?

Kiel is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Kiel offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

While most people don't head to Lindau specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town is more about it's beautiful setting than landmarks and museums, but there are some interesting sights including the harbor and lighthouse.

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

Lindau 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 Lindau. Head to the waterfront for the best seafood restaurants. Many restaurants use seasonal ingredients and serve local fish. The local whitefish is particularly popular. Dishes are influenced by the town's proximity to Switzerland and Austria, so you'll enjoy a hybrid of flavors and recipes.

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 Lindau or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Kiel is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

Lindau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not known for its nightlife scene but there are bars where you can enjoy a relaxing night out.

Is Lindau or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a city with good options for the beache. However, Lindau is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kiel. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Lindau is not a beach destination.

Is Lindau or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Lindau is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lindau. The old town is located on Lindau island in Lake Constance. It has quaint buildings and many waterfront restaurants.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lindau or Kiel?

Kiel is a city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kiel offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lindau or Kiel Better for Families?

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

Lindau is a very kid-friendly town. Head to the waterfront where there's a playground, stand up paddleboarding, paddleboats, and more. Kids will also enjoy climbing to the top of the Old Lighthouse or exploring the Museum of Local History.

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 Lindau or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lindau frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its charming old town, beautiful waterfront, great seafood restaurants, and nice hotels, couples will really enjoy a few days away at this lakefront town. It's the perfect place to have a romantic weekend.

Kiel is a good town 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 Lindau or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lindau. The town has a couple of hostels and affordable hotels that make this waterfront town accessible to backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Lindau or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a city with good options for students. However, Lindau is not popular with students.

Kiel is popular with students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Lindau is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Lindau and Kiel.

Public transit is generally limited in Lindau. It's possible to reach town by bus or train and once you're in town you can walk many places.

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

Is Lindau or Kiel a more walkable city?

Lindau 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.

Lindau is a very walkable town. The town is very walkable and there are also many walks into the countryside.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Lindau Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Lindau?

How long in Lindau or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lindau and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lindau than in Kiel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lindau, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

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

One day in Lindau or Kiel?

Lindau is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lindau or Kiel?

Lindau is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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.

Five days in Lindau or Kiel?

Lindau is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Lindau or Kiel?

Because Lindau is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the maritime 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Historical Tours in Germany, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lindau and Kiel, we can see that Lindau 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 Lindau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lindau 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 Lindau Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lindau or Kiel?

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