A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Heidelberg for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit The Hague or Heidelberg?

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 The Hague and Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a diverse, global, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

The Hague and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Heidelberg?

You'll generally find more things to do in The Hague than Heidelberg. The Hague is bigger than Heidelberg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. The Hague is better known for its music, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than The Hague and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. The Hague is well known for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. Also, The Hague is famous for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between The Hague and Heidelberg can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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 The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Both The Hague and Heidelberg have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

The Hague has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

The people in Heidelberg know how to have a good time. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Music?

The Hague is a great city for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

The Hague has a thriving music scene. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. However, The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Heidelberg?

The Hague is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

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 The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Heidelberg.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heidelberg. 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 The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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

The Hague makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Is The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Is The Hague or Heidelberg Better for Students?

The Hague 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.

The Hague is a very popular place to visit for students. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both The Hague and Heidelberg.

Public transit in The Hague is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is The Hague or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in The Hague or Heidelberg?

When visiting The Hague, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in The Hague, one day is sufficent for most.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Heidelberg?

When visiting The Hague, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the character-filled destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Heidelberg?

The Hague, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Heidelberg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or Heidelberg?

The Hague 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 popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Heidelberg?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague or Heidelberg?

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 The Hague or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to The Hague in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, The Hague is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 17°C (62°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In The Hague, it's very sunny this time of the year. The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit The Hague or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Heidelberg. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

The Hague is cooler than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to The Hague because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in The Hague can be very cold. In the winter, The Hague is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in The Hague in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

The Hague usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, The Hague usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit The Hague or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and The Hague during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

In April, The Hague is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 8°C (46°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and The Hague