A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Bern or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Bern or Bilbao? 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.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Bilbao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bilbao is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Bern different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Bilbao have superb 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 Bilbao specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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

Bern is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bern. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Bern or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao 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.

Bilbao offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

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 Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Bilbao?

Both Bern and Bilbao are superb 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.

Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Bern or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bern is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Bern or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Bern or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bern or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Bilbao is a good city to visit for students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Bilbao offer superb 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 Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bern or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Bern is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Bern?

How long in Bern or Bilbao?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Bilbao?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the colorful destination of Bilbao. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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.

The industrial city of Bilbao offers museums and nightlife. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Bilbao. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Bilbao. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Bern