A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Outer Hebrides vs. Heidelberg for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a natural, tranquil, and serene archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heidelberg than Outer Hebrides, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heidelberg is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Outer Hebrides is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Heidelberg is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Also, Heidelberg is famous for The Heidelberg Castle. Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Heidelberg has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is a great archipelago for the beach. However, Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Outer Hebrides for it's beautiful beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is an amazing archipelago to visit for hiking. However, Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Outer Hebrides is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is a good destination for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Heidelberg. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg are notable family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heidelberg. 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg both excellent destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Heidelberg. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

Families should spend more time in Heidelberg than Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

With food around the serene archipelago of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

With food around the destination of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

Outer Hebrides, 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg?

Outer Hebrides 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 of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg, we can see that Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Heidelberg. The summer months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In July, Outer Hebrides is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 13°C (55°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Heidelberg. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Outer Hebrides. In the winter, Outer Hebrides is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Outer Hebrides in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Outer Hebrides during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Outer Hebrides is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 7°C (44°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in April than Heidelberg. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Outer Hebrides