A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Kiel for Backpackers, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Tallinn or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Kiel, 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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a quaint, whimsical, and historical city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tallinn and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Kiel?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kiel than Tallinn. While Tallinn is larger than Kiel, Kiel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kiel is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Tallinn is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. 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 Tallinn different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Tallinn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

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 Tallinn or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Tallinn and Kiel offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Tallinn has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kiel area. 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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

Tallinn is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Tallinn is not a beach destination.

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Tallinn is not a beach destination.

Is Tallinn or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Tallinn can be explored in its historical center. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Kiel?

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

Tallinn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Families?

Tallinn and Kiel are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Tallinn is a family-friendly city. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tallinn frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Tallinn. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

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 Tallinn or Kiel Better for Students?

Both Tallinn and Kiel are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Tallinn. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

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

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

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

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

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

Is Tallinn or Kiel a more walkable city?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Tallinn on foot is easy. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Kiel?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tallinn or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Tallinn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Tallinn or Kiel?

Tallinn is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Tallinn or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the whimsical destination of Tallinn. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Tallinn or Kiel?

The historical city of Tallinn offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Kiel?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Tallinn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tallinn is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tallinn. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Kiel. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tallinn is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallinn in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Kiel. The winter months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Tallinn can be very cold. In January, Tallinn is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around -5°C (22°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Tallinn in the spring. Tallinn is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 4°C (39°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Kiel. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Tallinn