A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Cologne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Melbourne or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Cologne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cologne

Cologne is a colorful, fun, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Cologne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cologne than Melbourne. While Melbourne is larger than Cologne, Cologne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cologne is more popular for its historical sights, christmas markets, and impressive beauty, while Melbourne is known for its food and beaches. Cologne is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Melbourne is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Melbourne different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Cologne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Cologne.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Melbourne is an experience not to be missed. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Cologne.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is well known for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Cologne. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Cologne?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Melbourne and Cologne.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is very popular for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Melbourne does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Melbourne does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is very popular for visiting Christmas markets. However, Melbourne does not offer Christmas markets.

Cologne has some of the best Christmas markets in the world. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Melbourne does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Cologne.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Cologne make for a good place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Cologne are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Is Melbourne or Cologne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Cologne has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Melbourne or Cologne a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Cologne are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Cologne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Melbourne and Cologne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than in Cologne. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cologne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne than Cologne 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 Melbourne.

One day in Melbourne or Cologne?

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cologne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cologne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Cologne?

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful big city of Cologne. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Cologne?

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Cologne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Cologne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Melbourne. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Cologne is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Cologne, we can see that Melbourne 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. Even though Melbourne is in Pacific and Cologne is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Cologne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Cologne, 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 Melbourne or Cologne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cologne has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In the summer, Melbourne is around the same temperature as Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the summer, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Colognein July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Colognein July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Cologne. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Colognein October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Colognein October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Cologne. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Melbourne is much warmer than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

In the winter, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Colognein January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Colognein January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Melbourne is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Colognein April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Melbourne