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

Should you visit Bern or Barcelona?

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

Should I visit Bern or Barcelona? 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 historic, charming, and beautiful city. Bern is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bern travel costs.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a high energy, youthful, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Barcelona is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Barcelona travel costs.

Bern and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more touristy than Bern and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona 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 Barcelona?

Both Bern and Barcelona have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Barcelona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

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

Barcelona is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

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 Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

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 Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

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

Barcelona is a good option for a beach vacation. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Barcelona?

Barcelona is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Bern or Barcelona More Beautiful?

Bern and Barcelona both are comparable with their excellent scenery and beauty.

Bern is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This beautifully preserved historic city has charm, personality, and a lot to do.

The beauty of Barcelona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city offers many nice viewpoints that look down on the skyline from the surrounding hills. There are also nice parks and interesting architecture.

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for Families?

Bern is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Bern is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

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

Is Bern or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Barcelona offer excellent public transit options.

Visitors to Bern can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that run around town.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Bern or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Bern is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Bern is very walkable. 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.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Bern?

How long in Bern or Barcelona?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Barcelona. 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.

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

One day in Bern or Barcelona?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Barcelona is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

A weekend in Bern or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Bern. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Barcelona is a colorful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Barcelona?

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Barcelona is a friendly city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?

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 Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bern is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Barcelona in the Autumn?

Both Barcelona and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bern is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Barcelona. 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 Barcelona this time of year.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Barcelona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Barcelona. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Bern is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Bern