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

Should you visit Bern or Caen?

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

Should I visit Bern or Caen? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Bern and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Caen. Although Bern and Caen are both popular with visitors, Caen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Caen is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Bern is known for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge.

How is Bern different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Caen 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 Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Caen 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, Caen makes for a great culinary experience. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Caen are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Bern or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Caen?

Bern is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bern. 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bern or Caen Better for Families?

Bern is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Bern is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Bern or Caen Better for Couples?

Bern is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Bern or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Bern is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Both Bern and Caen 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 Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Bern or Caen a more walkable city?

Bern is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Bern?

How long in Bern or Caen?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bern. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

Bern is a fun place to experience. 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.

Caen 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bern. 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.

You'll find food and museums around the park-filled destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

The historic city of Bern 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.

The important city of Caen 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Caen?

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

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Caen. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Caen. 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 are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the autumn, Bern is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Caen. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Caen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Caen. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Caen. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city.

Bern is a little warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Caen. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Bern