A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Potsdam vs. Kiel for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

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

Potsdam

Potsdam is a compact, park-filled, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and waterfront city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Kiel than Potsdam. Kiel is bigger than Potsdam, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kiel is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Potsdam is more popular for its museums, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is well known for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle.

How is Potsdam different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Potsdam is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. 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 Potsdam or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Potsdam 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 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.

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 Potsdam or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Potsdam and Kiel.

Potsdam has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

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.

Is Potsdam or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beache. However, Potsdam is not a beach destination.

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

Potsdam is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Kiel?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kiel 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.

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.

Is Potsdam or Kiel Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Kiel.

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.

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

Both Potsdam and Kiel are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Potsdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Kiel is a good city 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 Potsdam or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

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 Potsdam or Kiel Better for Students?

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

Kiel is popular with students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Potsdam is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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

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

Is Potsdam or Kiel a more walkable city?

Potsdam is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Kiel?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Potsdam 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 Potsdam.

One day in Potsdam or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Potsdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Kiel, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Kiel?

Potsdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Potsdam or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Potsdam. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kiel is a great place to explore. 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 Kiel?

The historic city of Potsdam offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kiel. 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 Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Kiel?

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 Potsdam or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Potsdam is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Kiel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Potsdam. Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Kiel. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Potsdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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.

In the autumn, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Potsdam in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Kiel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam 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 Potsdam in the winter. In January, Potsdam is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around -0°C (31°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Kiel. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Potsdam or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Potsdam is a little warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Potsdam