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

Should you visit Bern or Howth?

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

Should I visit Bern or Howth? 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.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Bern and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Howth?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bern. Although Bern and Howth are popular destinations, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Howth attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Bern and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Bern different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

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

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

Howth has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Bern is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Bern has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Howth Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. However, Howth does not have a 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.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Hiking?

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

Howth is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Howth?

Bern is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Families?

Bern is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Couples?

Bern is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Howth is a good city for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Bern or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

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

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

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

While Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Bern or Howth a more walkable city?

Bern and Howth 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.

Howth is a very walkable city. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Bern?

How long in Bern or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Howth because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Howth.

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

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Howth. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Howth is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Howth?

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the picturesque destination of Howth. This fishing village 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 Howth?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The scenic fishing village of Howth offers food and museums. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Bern or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Howth. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

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

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

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

Should I visit Bern or Howth in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Howth. 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 Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

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

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

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

Should I visit Bern or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth 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 Howth in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Howth in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bern or Howth in the Spring?

Both Howth 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 Howth for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Bern