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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Kiel? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a dynamic, modern, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Stuttgart than Kiel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Stuttgart is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kiel is known for its beaches. Kiel is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. It is also home to The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stuttgart or Kiel?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Kiel and Stuttgart.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Stuttgart. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Kiel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Stuttgart or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

Stuttgart is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for the beach. However, Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Kiel?

Stuttgart is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Stuttgart is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Kiel.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kiel. 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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Kiel make for a good place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Kiel is a nice destination for couples. 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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Stuttgart. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

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 Stuttgart or Kiel Better for Students?

Stuttgart is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Stuttgart is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

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

Stuttgart has some very good public transit options. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

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

Is Stuttgart or Kiel a more walkable city?

Stuttgart and Kiel are good when it comes to walkability.

Stuttgart is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stuttgart and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stuttgart than in Kiel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

One day in Stuttgart or Kiel?

Stuttgart is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Kiel?

Stuttgart 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Kiel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Kiel?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the waterfront city of Kiel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Kiel?

The diverse city of Stuttgart 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.

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stuttgart and Kiel, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Kiel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiel 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 Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart than you might in Kiel.

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

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Kiel?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Stuttgart during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In July, Stuttgart is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 22°C (71°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Stuttgart. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Kiel. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Stuttgart is a little warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Stuttgart. In the winter, Stuttgart is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stuttgart in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Stuttgart is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 11°C (53°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives more rain than Kiel. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Stuttgart