A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Kiel for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Tartu or Kiel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Kiel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

Kiel

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

Tartu and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kiel is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Kiel is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kiel is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tartu or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kiel is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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)

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

Tartu is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a city with good options for the beach. However, Tartu is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kiel. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Tartu is not a beach destination.

Is Tartu or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Kiel?

Kiel is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Kiel Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Kiel are good to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tartu or Kiel Better for Couples?

Kiel is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tartu is a great university town to visit for backpackers. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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 Tartu or Kiel Better for Students?

Tartu is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Tartu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

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

Is Tartu or Kiel a more walkable city?

Tartu 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.

Tartu is a very walkable university town. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Kiel. In our opinion, Tartu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tartu than Kiel. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this maritime destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Kiel?

Tartu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Kiel?

You'll find nightlife around the student-oriented destination of Tartu. This university town 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kiel. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Kiel?

The student-oriented university town of Tartu offers nightlife. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the maritime destination of Kiel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget 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 Tartu and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tartu is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Tartu is much colder than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Kiel. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Kiel in the Winter?

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

The weather in Kiel can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Kiel. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In April, Tartu is generally cooler than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Kiel. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Tartu