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

Should you visit Bern or Kinsale?

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

Should I visit Bern or Kinsale? 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 cultural, historic, and charming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a colorful, charming, and quaint seaside town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Bern and Kinsale: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Kinsale?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kinsale. Although Bern and Kinsale are popular destinations, Kinsale has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kinsale is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Kinsale is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. It is also well known for Charles 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 Kinsale?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is great for its historical sights. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its sights and museums.

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 Kinsale. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

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

Kinsale 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, Kinsale is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

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 Kinsale Better for Nightlife?

Bern is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Most people don't head to Kinsale specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for Beaches?

Kinsale is a moderate seaside town for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Kinsale is a good spot to see the beach. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Bern and Kinsale.

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 Kinsale. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for Hiking?

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

Kinsale is a good destination for hiking. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Kinsale?

Bern is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Kinsale to go shopping. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for Families?

Bern is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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.

Kinsale is a family-friendly place to visit. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for Couples?

Bern is great for its romantic activities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for couples.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Kinsale is a good city for couples to visit. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Is Bern or Kinsale Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kinsale. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

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

Bern is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Bern or Kinsale a more walkable city?

Bern is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town 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.

Kinsale is a somewhat walkable city. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kinsale or Bern?

How long in Bern or Kinsale?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Kinsale to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Kinsale 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 Kinsale.

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

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.

Kinsale is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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.

A weekend in Bern or Kinsale?

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.

Kinsale is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Kinsale?

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.

Kinsale is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This seaside town 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.

A week in Bern or Kinsale?

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.

Because Kinsale is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Tours for Seniors to Ireland, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Kinsale?

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

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 Kinsale in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Kinsale. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Kinsale for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Kinsale. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 178 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Kinsale. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Kinsale in the Autumn?

Both Kinsale and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kinsale because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Kinsale during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Kinsale. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Kinsale in the Winter?

Both Kinsale and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Kinsale this time of year.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bern is much colder than Kinsale in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Kinsale fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 60 hours of full sun.

Kinsale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Kinsale. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Kinsale in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Kinsale. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kinsale for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bern is a little warmer than Kinsale. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Kinsale averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kinsale. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kinsale and Bern