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

Should you visit Bern or Cologne?

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

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

Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Cologne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cologne than Bern. Cologne is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cologne is better known for its nightlife, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Bern and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. Also, Cologne is famous for The Cologne Cathedral. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Bern different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Cologne have high quality 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 Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bern and Cologne.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Cologne has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne 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.

Cologne offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne Better for its Old Town?

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

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Cologne?

Both Bern and Cologne 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.

Cologne is well-known for its shopping. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a world class destination during the Christmas season. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Cologne.

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, Cologne is very family-friendly. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Couples?

Bern is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Bern or Cologne Better for Students?

Cologne is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Cologne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Cologne is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Cologne has a great public transit system. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Bern or Cologne a more walkable city?

Bern and Cologne 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.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Bern?

How long in Bern or Cologne?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bern than Cologne. 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 Cologne 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 Cologne?

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.

Cologne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Cologne?

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.

Cologne 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 Cologne?

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 accessible big city of Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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 vibrant city of Cologne offers nightlife and food. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Cologne. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In July, Bern is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Cologne. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Cologne. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bern is around the same temperature as Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Bern is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Cologne. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cologne. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Bern