A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porvoo vs. Kiel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porvoo or Kiel?

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 Porvoo and Kiel. 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.

Where Should I go: Porvoo or Kiel?

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Porvoo and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Porvoo Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Kiel, 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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Porvoo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Porvoo is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porvoo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porvoo. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Porvoo is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 6°C (42°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Porvoo usually receives more rain than Kiel. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porvoo or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Kiel. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Porvoo can get quite cold in the winter. Porvoo is much colder than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Porvoo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Porvoo can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Porvoo is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porvoo in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Porvoo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Kiel. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Porvoo