A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Hamburg for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bern or Hamburg?

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

Should I visit Bern or Hamburg? 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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a energetic, cultural, and vibrant port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Hamburg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hamburg than Bern. Hamburg is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hamburg is better known for its nightlife and music, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Bern and is known for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Also, Hamburg is famous for St. Michael's Church. 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 Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Hamburg have great 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 Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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

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

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

Hamburg has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

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 Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Hamburg is a world class music destination. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Hamburg?

Both Bern and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is well-known for its shopping. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Hamburg.

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, Hamburg is very family-friendly. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Bern is well known for couples. Also, Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. Also, Hamburg 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Bern or Hamburg Better for Students?

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

Hamburg is a good port city to visit for students. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Hamburg offer great 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 Hamburg can get you around easily. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Bern or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Bern and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a very walkable city. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Bern?

How long in Bern or Hamburg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and Hamburg. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Hamburg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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 Hamburg?

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 food and shopping around the energetic destination of Hamburg. This port 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 Hamburg?

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 energetic port city of Hamburg offers shopping and museums. 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 from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Hamburg?

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

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Hamburg. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hamburg this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Hamburg. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bern is a little warmer than Hamburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Hamburg. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Hamburg in the Winter?

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

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Hamburg averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Bern or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Bern