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

Should you visit Bern or Biarritz?

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

Should I visit Bern or Biarritz? 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 charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a relaxing, quirky, and dynamic seaside town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bern and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Biarritz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Biarritz. Although Bern and Biarritz are popular destinations, Biarritz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Biarritz is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Biarritz is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. It is also well known for Grande Plage. 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 Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Biarritz 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, Biarritz makes for a great culinary experience. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

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 Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz 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.

Biarritz offers plenty to do in the evening. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

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 Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Bern is not a resort destination.

Biarritz is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Bern or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Biarritz is considered a top beach destination. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Biarritz Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

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.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Biarritz?

Both Bern and Biarritz are high quality shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Is Bern or Biarritz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Biarritz.

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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Biarritz is very family-friendly. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

Is Bern or Biarritz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Biarritz make for a high quality place to visit.

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.

Biarritz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Is Bern or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Biarritz are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Many backpackers visit Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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

Bern is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

You'll find some public transit in Biarritz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Bern or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Bern and Biarritz both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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.

Biarritz is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Bern?

How long in Bern or Biarritz?

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Biarritz?

The beautiful city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Biarritz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Biarritz?

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Biarritz is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Biarritz?

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Biarritz. This seaside town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Biarritz?

Bern is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quirky seaside town of Biarritz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Biarritz, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Biarritz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Biarritz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Biarritz 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 Biarritz.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Biarritz?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Biarritz, 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 Biarritz?

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 Bern or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Biarritz. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Biarritz. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Biarritz in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Bern is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Bern