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

Should you visit Nafplio or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Nafplio 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.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful, picturesque, and romantic city. The beauty of Nafplio is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Nafplio travel costs.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Kiel travel costs.

Nafplio and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Nafplio and Kiel are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its big city activities, while Nafplio is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Nafplio is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. 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 Nafplio different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nafplio is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. 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 Nafplio or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

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 Nafplio or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

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

Nafplio is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

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 Nafplio or Kiel Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Kiel are good choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

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

Is Nafplio or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Kiel?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Nafplio and Kiel.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Kiel is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Nafplio or Kiel More Beautiful?

Nafplio is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Kiel is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Nafplio is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The picturesque seaside setting offers impressive views and a charming atmosphere.

Kiel is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nafplio or Kiel Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Kiel.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kiel. 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 Nafplio or Kiel Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Nafplio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Kiel is a good city 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 Nafplio or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

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 Nafplio or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Nafplio 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 Nafplio, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

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

Is Nafplio or Kiel a more walkable city?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio on foot is easy. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nafplio and Kiel. In our opinion, Nafplio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nafplio than Kiel. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

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

One day in Nafplio or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nafplio. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Nafplio or Kiel?

Nafplio is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Nafplio or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Nafplio. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Nafplio or Kiel?

The romantic city of Nafplio offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, 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 Nafplio and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Nafplio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nafplio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nafplio 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 Nafplio.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Kiel?

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 Nafplio or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches 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, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Kiel. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Nafplio is much warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Kiel. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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, Nafplio is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Nafplio