A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Salzburg or Heidelberg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Heidelberg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a quaint, energetic, and lively town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Salzburg and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salzburg. Although Salzburg and Heidelberg are roughly the same size, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its nightlife. Salzburg is more touristy than Heidelberg and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Heidelberg.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Heidelberg both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

The old town of Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. 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 Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Salzburg is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Heidelberg are great destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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.

Is Salzburg or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Heidelberg is a good city to visit for 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.

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

Both Salzburg and Heidelberg offer great public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Heidelberg can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Salzburg or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Heidelberg both are great when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Heidelberg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Heidelberg. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Heidelberg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

With live music and food around the musical city of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Heidelberg offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

With food and shopping around the destination of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Heidelberg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heidelberg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Salzburg, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Salzburg 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.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Heidelberg?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Heidelberg. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Heidelberg. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Salzburg