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

Should you visit Bern or Hvar?

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

Should I visit Bern or Hvar? 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 historic, charming, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hvar

Hvar is a party-oriented, historic, and beautiful island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bern and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Hvar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hvar. Although Bern and Hvar are popular destinations, Hvar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hvar is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Hvar is more touristy than Bern and is known for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine. It is also well known for Hvar Fort. 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 Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. 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 Hvar. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

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

Hvar is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hvar makes for a great culinary experience. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

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 Hvar Better for Nightlife?

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

Hvar is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

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 Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hvar is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hvar has a few good snorkeling spots. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for Beaches?

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

Hvar is considered a top beach destination. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for its Old Town?

Bern is notable for its old town. However, Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Hvar is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Hvar is a good destination for hiking. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Hvar?

Bern is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Hvar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Hvar.

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, Hvar is very family-friendly. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Hvar make for a excellent 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.

Hvar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

Is Bern or Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hvar is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hvar is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

Many backpackers 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.

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

Bern is notable for its public transit. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit 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.

Hvar has some public transit options. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is Bern or Hvar a more walkable city?

Bern is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable city. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

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

Should I spend more time in Hvar or Bern?

How long in Bern or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either Bern or Hvar. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hvar 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 Hvar.

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

One day in Bern or Hvar?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hvar. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Hvar?

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.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the vibrant destination of Hvar. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Hvar?

The beautiful 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 vibrant island of Hvar offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Hvar?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

Both Hvar and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bern is cooler than Hvar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Hvar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Hvar. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Hvar. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Hvar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Hvar. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bern is much colder than Hvar in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Hvar. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Hvar. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Hvar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Hvar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Hvar. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Bern