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

Should you visit Villach or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Villach 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.

Villach

Villach is a historic, nature-filled, and outdoorsy town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Villach and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Villach or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel than Villach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kiel is more popular for its food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Villach is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Villach is popular for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. Kiel 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.

How is Villach different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Villach or Kiel.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Villach. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

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 Villach or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kiel is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

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)

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Villach or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Villach and Kiel.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kiel. 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 Villach or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for the beach. However, Villach 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.

Villach is not a beach destination.

Is Villach or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Villach is a popular place for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Villach to see the old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is Villach or Kiel Better for Hiking?

Villach is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Villach or Kiel?

Kiel is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Many visitors go to Kiel to go shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Villach or Kiel Better for Families?

Villach is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Villach is a very kid-friendly town. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. 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 Villach or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Villach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

Kiel is a good town 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 Villach or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Villach is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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 Villach or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a popular place for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Kiel is a good city to visit for students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Villach is not popular with students.

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

Both Villach and Kiel offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

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

Is Villach or Kiel a more walkable city?

Kiel is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

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

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Villach?

How long in Villach or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Villach and Kiel. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Villach or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Villach or Kiel?

Villach is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Villach or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nature-filled destination of Villach. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Villach or Kiel?

The outdoorsy town of Villach offers nightlife and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, 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 Villach and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Villach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Villach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Villach 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 Villach.

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

Which is Bigger, Villach or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach or Kiel?

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 Villach or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Kiel. The summer months attract visitors to Villach because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In July, Villach is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 24°C (75°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Villach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Villach usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Villach usually receives less rain than Kiel. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Villach or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Villach as well as Kiel. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Villach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Villach is much warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Villach often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Villach gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Villach 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. In the winter, Villach is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Villach in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Villach usually receives more rain than Kiel. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Villach or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Villach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Villach in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Villach is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 13°C (56°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Villach gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in April than Kiel. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Villach