A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Delft vs. Mainz for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Delft or Mainz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Delft and Mainz 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.

Delft

Delft is a charming, historic, and quaint town. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Delft travel costs.

Mainz

Mainz is a peaceful, historic, and quaint town. Mainz is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Mainz travel costs.

Delft and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Delft or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mainz than Delft, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Mainz is more popular for its food and impressive beauty, while Delft is known for its nightlife. Mainz is more touristy than Delft and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also home to The Mainz Cathedral. Delft is popular for its charming canals, cobblestone streets, and blue and white ceramic pottery.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Delft different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Delft or Mainz?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Delft or Mainz.

Delft is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums that highlight the culture and history of the area. The Vermeer Center offers an immersive experience into the life and work of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the city. The Royal Delft Factory teaches visitors about the city's iconic blue-and-white pottery. The Delft Museum of Technology and the Old Church also provide insight into the city's engineering, cultural, and religious history.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Is the Food Better in Delft or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Delft. There are several local dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or a frikandel (a Dutch snack). The town has countless casual eateries and cozy cafes where you can enjoy pastries, coffee, and Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken). There's also a selection of international restaurants around town that serve Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Local markets and street food stalls provide affordable options, such as fresh herring or delicious Dutch cheese.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Delft is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Delft. It has a low-key and relaxed nightlife scene with a variety of cozy pubs, bars, and cafes, many of which are located along the scenic canals.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Both Delft and Mainz have great historic old towns worth visiting.

Delft is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The city's old town is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets. The heart of the old town is centered around the Market Square, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and the City Hall.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Delft or Mainz?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Delft and Mainz.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Delft. The city center is home to many unique shops selling local crafts, Dutch design, and traditional Delftware pottery, making it a great place for souvenirs. You'll also find popular international brands and stores along the main shopping streets. For a more local shopping experience, visit the weekly market in the Market Square, where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and regional goods.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Delft or Mainz More Beautiful?

Mainz is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Mainz is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Located on the Rhine River, the town is filled with history and charm.

Delft is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Families?

Delft is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Delft is a family-friendly town. There are boat tours on the canals. There's also the Vermeer Center which has an interactive experience where you can learn about the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer, in a way that's engaging and educational. The Royal Delft Factory is another great stop, where children can see traditional blue-and-white pottery being made and even try painting their own ceramics. If your kids need to stretch their legs, there's the Delftse Hout park which has a large playground, nature trails, and even a petting zoo.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Couples?

Mainz is a very popular place for romance. Also, Delft is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Delft makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities for couples like walking through the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets. There are also quaint cafes and romantic restaurants. You can also take a boat ride along the canals or enjoy a peaceful walk through Delftse Hout park.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Delft is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Delft is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some affordable accommodation options, but many backpackers head to Delft as a day trip from the nearby city of The Hague.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Students?

Both Delft and Mainz are great destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Delft. It is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which is a well respected technical university. The city has a vibrant student atmosphere, with plenty of student-friendly cafes, bars, and activities.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Is Delft or Mainz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find great public transit in both Delft and Mainz.

Public transit in Delft is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a bus network that is reliable and convenient. The city's train station is centrally located and offers direct connections to major cities in the Netherlands, making it a great hub for exploring the region.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Delft or Mainz a more walkable city?

Delft and Mainz are world-class when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Delft. The town's compact size and charming layout mean that most of the main attractions, such as the Old Church, New Church, and Market Square, are within walking distance of each other.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Delft Worth Visiting? and Is Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Delft?

How long in Delft or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Delft or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1 day is a good amount of time for Delft, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mainz than Delft 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 Mainz.

One day in Delft or Mainz?

In Delft, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Mainz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this quaint destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Delft or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Delft. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Delft or Mainz?

Delft is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Delft. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Delft or Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Delft. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Delft or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Delft. When comparing the sizes of Delft and Mainz, 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 Delft or Mainz?

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 Delft or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Delft are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Delft because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

Delft is cooler than Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Delft averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Delft. Delft usually receives less sunshine than Mainz during summer. Delft gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Delft usually receives more rain than Mainz. Delft gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Delft or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Delft during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Delft this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Delft is around the same temperature as Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Delft in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Delft often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Delft gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Delft gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Delft or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Delft and Mainz. Many travelers come to Delft for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Delft. In January, Delft is generally a little warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Delft average around 2°C (36°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Delft usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Delft gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Delft usually receives more rain than Mainz. Delft gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Delft or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Delft as well as Mainz. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months.

Delft is cooler than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Delft averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Delft often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Delft gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mainz. Delft gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Delft