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

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Kiel?

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 Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a natural, pristine, and remote archipelago. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Kiel

Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Orkney Islands and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Orkney Islands and Kiel are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Kiel is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kiel 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 Kiel?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Kiel and Orkney Islands.

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.

Kiel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. 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.

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 Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Kiel is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is well known for the beache. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Orkney Islands is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Orkney Islands. 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.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Kiel?

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

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Kiel.

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.

Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Orkney Islands frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Kiel is a good archipelago 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 Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

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 Orkney Islands or Kiel Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

Orkney Islands is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Orkney Islands, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

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

Is Orkney Islands or Kiel a more walkable city?

Kiel is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Kiel?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kiel, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Kiel?

Orkney Islands is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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. 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 Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the natural destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. 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 Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural archipelago of Orkney Islands. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Kiel. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Kiel, 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 Kiel Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Kiel?

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 Orkney Islands or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Kiel. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 12°C (54°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Orkney Islands is around the same temperature as Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Orkney Islands in the winter. In the winter, Orkney Islands is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orkney Islands in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Kiel. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 6°C (43°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Kiel. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Orkney Islands