A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berlin vs. Seattle for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Backpackers

Should you visit Berlin or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or Seattle, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Berlin

Berlin is a creative, eclectic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Berlin and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berlin or Seattle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Berlin. While Berlin is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Berlin is known for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Berlin different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Berlin or Seattle?

Berlin is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Berlin on the map. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Berlin is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Berlin or Seattle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Berlin and Seattle can be an enjoyable experience.

Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Dining out in Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Berlin is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Berlin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Music?

Berlin is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

In Berlin you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Berlin is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Berlin is not a beach destination.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a great city for hiking. However, Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Berlin or Seattle?

Berlin is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Berlin is a world class destination for shoppers. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Families?

Berlin is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Couples?

Berlin and Seattle are both good to visit as a couple.

Berlin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Seattle is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Berlin is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Students?

Berlin is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Berlin is a great destination for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Is Berlin or Seattle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berlin is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Berlin has a great public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Berlin or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

For even more information, also check out Is Berlin Worth Visiting? and Is Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Berlin?

How long in Berlin or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Berlin and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Seattle. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Berlin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Seattle 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 Berlin.

One day in Berlin or Seattle?

Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Berlin or Seattle?

Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Berlin has to offer.

Seattle 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 Berlin or Seattle?

Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Berlin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Berlin or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cultural big city of Seattle. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berlin and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Berlin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Berlin is in Europe and Seattle is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Berlin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berlin 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Berlin or Seattle?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Berlin and Seattle, 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 Berlin or Seattle?

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 Berlin or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Berlin during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Berlin is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berlin in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Berlin. In the summer, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Berlin usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or Seattle in the Autumn?

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

In October, Berlin is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 10°C (50°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Berlin usually receives less rain than Seattle. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Berlin or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berlin as well as Seattle. Many travelers come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Berlin. Berlin is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Berlin usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or Seattle in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Berlin is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berlin in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Berlin usually receives less rain than Seattle. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Berlin