A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bern or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Bern or Amalfi? 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.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bern and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Bern and Amalfi are popular destinations, Amalfi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amalfi is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Amalfi is more touristy than Bern and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bern or Amalfi?

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is the Food Better in Bern or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Amalfi offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Bern and Amalfi.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Amalfi?

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

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Families?

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

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Amalfi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a great city to visit for backpackers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Bern or Amalfi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bern is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Bern or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

Bern is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

For even more information, also check out Is Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Bern?

How long in Bern or Amalfi?

Both Bern and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Bern. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Amalfi 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 Bern.

One day in Bern or Amalfi?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Amalfi. 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.

A weekend in Bern or Amalfi?

Bern 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.

Amalfi is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.

Five days in Bern or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. 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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Amalfi. 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.

A week in Bern or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bern. This city 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dramatic town of Amalfi. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Amalfi, we can see that Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Amalfi?

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

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 Bern or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Amalfi. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bern is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Amalfi averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Amalfi. Most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bern is much colder than Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Bern