A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Potsdam vs. Heidelberg for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

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

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a charming, scenic, and character-filled town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Potsdam and Heidelberg are both popular with visitors, Heidelberg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heidelberg is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Potsdam is known for its museums and small town charm. Heidelberg is more touristy than Potsdam and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also home to The Heidelberg Castle. Potsdam is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Potsdam different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Potsdam is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Potsdam. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Potsdam and Heidelberg offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Potsdam. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Heidelberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is very popular for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Heidelberg has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Heidelberg and Potsdam.

Potsdam offers some nice shopping areas. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

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.

Is Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Heidelberg.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Potsdam. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. 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 Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is well known for backpackers. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

Is Potsdam or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is very good for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is popular with students. 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Potsdam and Heidelberg.

Potsdam has some very good public transit options. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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.

Is Potsdam or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Heidelberg both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

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

Couples should spend more time in Heidelberg than Potsdam. 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Heidelberg?

With museums and nightlife around the compact city of Potsdam, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Potsdam, one day is sufficent for most.

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Potsdam, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Potsdam, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Potsdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Potsdam and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg than you might in Potsdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Heidelberg?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Heidelberg, 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 Potsdam or Heidelberg?

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 Potsdam or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Potsdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Potsdam. In the summer, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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 October, Potsdam is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Heidelberg. The winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Potsdam can be very cold. Potsdam is much colder than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Potsdam is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Potsdam