A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Zurich or Heidelberg?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Heidelberg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a historic, quaint, and energetic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Zurich and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Zurich is more popular for its museums, music, and shopping, while Heidelberg is known for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Zurich different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zurich or Heidelberg?

Zurich is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Zurich and Heidelberg offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Heidelberg are excellent when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Heidelberg has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Music?

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

Zurich has a thriving music scene. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Zurich and Heidelberg.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Heidelberg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Heidelberg?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Zurich is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Zurich and Heidelberg both excellent destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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.

Is Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Both Zurich and Heidelberg offer excellent public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Zurich or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Zurich and Heidelberg both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

One day in Zurich or Heidelberg?

With live music and food around the beautiful city of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Zurich or Heidelberg?

With food and shopping around the destination of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Heidelberg?

Zurich, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Heidelberg?

Zurich is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Heidelberg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, 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 Zurich and Heidelberg, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Heidelberg?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Heidelberg?

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 Zurich or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Heidelberg. The summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the summer, Zurich is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. Zurich is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Zurich is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Zurich