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

Should you visit Bern or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Bern or Bologna? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a historical, culinary, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Bologna?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bologna than Bern. Bologna is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bologna is better known for its food and nightlife, while Bern is more popular for its museums. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Bologna is well known for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. Also, Bologna is famous for Piazza Maggiore.

How is Bern different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna 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.

Bologna offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

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 Bologna Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Bern and Bologna.

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 Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Bologna?

Both Bern and Bologna are great 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.

Bologna is well-known for its shopping. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Bern or Bologna Better for Families?

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

Bern is known to be 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.

Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Bern or Bologna Better for Couples?

Bern is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Bern or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Bologna are great 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 Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Is Bern or Bologna Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bern. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Bern or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bern and Bologna both are great 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.

Bologna is a very walkable city. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Bern?

How long in Bern or Bologna?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Bologna. 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 Bologna. 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 Bologna 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 Bologna.

One day in Bern or Bologna?

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bologna. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Bologna?

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Bologna 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 Bologna?

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bologna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The historical city of Bologna offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Bologna?

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

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Bologna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Bologna. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bern is cooler than Bologna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.

Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Bologna. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bern is a little warmer than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Bologna. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In April, Bern is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Bern