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

Should you visit Bern or Dublin?

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

Should I visit Bern or Dublin? 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a friendly, welcoming, and fun city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Dublin is more touristy than Bern and is known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Dublin have very good 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 Dublin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Bern and Dublin.

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

Dublin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Dublin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a well-known place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin is very popular with diverse venues. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the very good old towns in both Bern and Dublin.

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 Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Dublin?

Both Bern and Dublin are very good 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.

Dublin is well-known for its shopping. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Dublin.

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, Dublin is very family-friendly. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Dublin make for a very good place to visit.

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.

Dublin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Dublin 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 Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Bern or Dublin Better for Students?

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

Dublin is a good city to visit for students. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bern or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Bern?

How long in Bern or Dublin?

In either Bern or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Dublin?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Dublin?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Dublin. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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 fun city of Dublin offers shopping and museums. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Dublin?

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

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Dublin. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Dublin. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Dublin. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Bern is generally a little warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Dublin. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can be very cold during winter. Bern is much colder than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Dublin. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In the spring, Bern is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Dublin. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Bern