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

Should you visit Zermatt or Kiel?

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 Zermatt and Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a stunning, iconic, and breathtaking town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zermatt and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zermatt or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zermatt. Although Zermatt and Kiel are popular destinations, Zermatt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zermatt is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kiel attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and big city activities. Zermatt is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its skiing, hiking, winter sports, and stunning views of Matterhorn. It is also well known for The Matterhorn. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

The Matterhorn

How is Zermatt different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Zermatt or Kiel Better for Skiing?

Zermatt is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Kiel is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Zermatt should be on your list. This is Europe's highest ski resort and it is one of the most famous and beautiful, at the base of the world renowned Matterhown. The slopes attract professional skiers from around the world who come for the challenging skiing and spectacular setting.

Kiel is not a skiing destination.

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

Kiel is very good for its sights and museums. However, Zermatt is not a good town for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Zermatt specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You don't visit Zermatt for the museums, but it is worth checking out the Matterhorn Museum while you're in town.

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

Zermatt 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 Zermatt. There are actually many great restaurants right on the slopes, so you don't have to head into town to enjoy a meal. In town, you'll find many cozy restaurants that have terraces that offer spectacular views.

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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

Zermatt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town cuts loose in the evening with locals and visitors intermingling at the many bars and live music venues around town. Elegant fun is a great way to describe the nightlife scene and whether you're looking for a mellow night out or a more vibrant party, there's something 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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Resorts?

Zermatt is well known for its resorts. However, Kiel is not a resort destination.

Zermatt is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of upscale inns and hotels in town. Many have pools or hot tubs with views of the mountains.

Kiel is not a resort destination.

Is Zermatt or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for its beaches. However, Zermatt is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Zermatt is not a beach destination.

Is Zermatt or Kiel Better for Hiking?

Zermatt is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

People visit Zermatt specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zermatt or Kiel?

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

Zermatt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Luxury boutiques that sell jewelry, watches, and clothing are found all around town. You'll also find sporting equipment or anything that you may have forgotten. For the best shopping in town head to Bahnhofstrasse.

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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Families?

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

Zermatt is a very kid-friendly town. From world class hiking to countless outdoor adventures, this is a great place to explore with kids. There are a number of kid-friendly ways to view Matterhorn as well as cable cars and Glacier Palace.

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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Couples?

Zermatt is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Zermatt makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.

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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Zermatt is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town that cater to the backpacker and budget crowd. It's an expensive place to visit, with food and entertainment costing a lot, but if you can swing it, it's well worth a visit.

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 Zermatt or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is very good for students. However, Zermatt 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.

Zermatt is not popular with students.

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

Zermatt 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 Zermatt, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are ebuses in town, but the town itself is car free and walking is your best option.

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

Is Zermatt or Kiel a more walkable city?

Zermatt 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 Zermatt on foot is easy. There aren't any cars in town so this is a very pedestrian-friendly town with charming streets and walking paths.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Zermatt?

How long in Zermatt or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zermatt and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zermatt than in Kiel. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zermatt, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

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

One day in Zermatt or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Zermatt. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Zermatt or Kiel?

Zermatt is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Zermatt or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the breathtaking destination of Zermatt. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Zermatt or Kiel?

The stunning town of Zermatt offers skiing and nightlife. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, 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 Zermatt and Kiel, we can see that Zermatt 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zermatt or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt 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 Zermatt 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 Zermatt or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Kiel. Most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zermatt is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zermatt in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Kiel. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zermatt or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Kiel. The autumn months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In October, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 15°C (58°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zermatt or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Zermatt in the winter. Zermatt is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Kiel. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zermatt or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Zermatt during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Zermatt is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zermatt in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Kiel. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Zermatt