A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Heidelberg for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Manchester or Heidelberg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a charming, scenic, and character-filled town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Manchester and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Heidelberg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Heidelberg. Manchester is bigger than Heidelberg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Manchester and Heidelberg offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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.

Is Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Manchester and Heidelberg.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Music?

Manchester is a great city for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Manchester has a thriving music scene. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Heidelberg has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Heidelberg?

Manchester is a great city 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 Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Manchester is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Manchester. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Heidelberg are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Heidelberg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Manchester is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Heidelberg is a good city 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.

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

Manchester and Heidelberg both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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.

Is Manchester or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heidelberg than Manchester 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 Manchester or Heidelberg?

When visiting Manchester, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With shopping and nightlife around the energetic town of Heidelberg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heidelberg, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Heidelberg?

When visiting Manchester, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Heidelberg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Manchester or Heidelberg?

Manchester, a popular city, 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.

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

A week in Manchester or Heidelberg?

Manchester 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.

Heidelberg 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Heidelberg, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Heidelberg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heidelberg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heidelberg 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Heidelberg.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Heidelberg?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester or Heidelberg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Manchester or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Heidelberg. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in Manchester can be very cold. In the winter, Manchester is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Heidelberg. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

In April, Manchester is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Manchester