A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Linz vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Linz or Heidelberg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Heidelberg 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.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Linz and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Heidelberg?

Both Heidelberg and Linz have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Linz is more popular for its museums and shopping, while Heidelberg is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Linz is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Linz different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Linz is a great town for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Linz or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Linz or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Heidelberg is revered around the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Heidelberg?

Linz is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Linz or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Both Linz and Heidelberg are good to visit with kids.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly town. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Linz or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Both Linz and Heidelberg are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Heidelberg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Linz or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Linz or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a town with good options for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is a good town to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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

Is Linz or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Linz and Heidelberg both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Linz?

How long in Linz or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Linz or Heidelberg?

With museums and food around the historic town of Linz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Linz, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Linz or Heidelberg?

With food and shopping around the destination of Linz, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Heidelberg 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.

Five days in Linz or Heidelberg?

Linz, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Heidelberg. 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.

A week in Linz or Heidelberg?

Linz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The scenic town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Linz or Heidelberg?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Linz and Heidelberg, 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 Linz or Heidelberg?

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 Linz or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Linz as well as Heidelberg. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Linz is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Linz this time of the year. In the summer, Linz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets more rain in July than Heidelberg. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Linz is generally around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (52°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Linz usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Linz usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Linz or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Linz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Linz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Heidelberg can be very cold during winter. Linz can get quite cold in the winter. Linz is much colder than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Linz averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Linz often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Linz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Linz is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Linz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Linz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Linz