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

Should you visit Bern or Como?

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

Should I visit Bern or Como? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Bern and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Bern. While Bern is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Bern is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Como 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, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Como are notable 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 Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Bern or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Como is a good option for a beach vacation. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. 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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Como?

Como is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Como is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Bern or Como Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Como.

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, Como is very family-friendly. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Bern or Como Better for Couples?

Como is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Como makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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.

Is Bern or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Como are very good 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 Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is Bern or Como 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, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Bern or Como a more walkable city?

Bern and Como both are very good 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.

Como is a very walkable city. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Bern?

How long in Bern or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Bern or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como 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 Como.

One day in Bern or Como?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

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.

Como is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural 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 shopping around the scenic destination of Como. This lake area offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Como?

The cultural 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 trendy lake area of Como offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Como, we can see that Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Como?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Como. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Como. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bern is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Como. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Como. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Como. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Como. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

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

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Como. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Bern