A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Heidelberg for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands and Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a tranquil, natural, and pristine archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Orkney Islands and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Orkney Islands and Heidelberg are popular destinations, Heidelberg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heidelberg is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Orkney Islands attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and hiking. Heidelberg is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also well known for The Heidelberg Castle. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Orkney Islands is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Heidelberg.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is great for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Heidelberg for the nightlife scene. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for the beach. However, Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Orkney Islands for it's beautiful beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in 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.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago for hiking. However, Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is very good for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Heidelberg.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm 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 Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

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

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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 Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Heidelberg are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. 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.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its public transit.

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Orkney Islands has a few public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Is Orkney Islands or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orkney Islands and Heidelberg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than in Heidelberg. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

Couples should spend more time in Heidelberg than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

With museums and food around the natural archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

With food and museums around the destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Orkney Islands, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Heidelberg?

Orkney Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint town of Heidelberg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 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 comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Heidelberg, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Orkney Islands is much colder than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Orkney Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Heidelberg. The winter months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the museums 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 Orkney Islands can be very cold. In January, Orkney Islands is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Heidelberg. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

Orkney Islands is much colder than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Heidelberg. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Orkney Islands