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

Should you visit Bern or Lille?

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

Should I visit Bern or Lille? 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.

Lille

Lille is a historic, under-rated, and fascinating city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Lille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lille is very popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Bern different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille 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, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille 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.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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 Lille Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Lille?

Lille is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lille is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Bern or Lille Better for Families?

Bern is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Bern or Lille Better for Couples?

Bern is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Bern or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Bern or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Lille offer very good 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 Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Bern or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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 Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Bern?

How long in Bern or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and Lille. In our opinion, Lille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lille than Bern. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bern than Lille. 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 Lille. 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.

One day in Bern or Lille?

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful 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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

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.

Lille 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.

Five days in Bern or Lille?

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 food and shopping around the historic destination of Lille. 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.

A week in Bern or Lille?

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 friendly city of Lille offers shopping and nightlife. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Lille. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Lille. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. Bern is cooler than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Lille. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Lille. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

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

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Bern