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

Should you visit Bern or Split?

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

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

Split

Split is a touristy, fun-filled, and budget-friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bern and Split: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Split?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Split than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Split is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Split is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. It is also well known for Diocletian's Palace. 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 Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Split have superb 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 Split specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

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

Split 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, Split makes for a great culinary experience. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

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 Split Better for Nightlife?

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

Split is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

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 Split Better for Resorts?

Split is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Bern is not a resort destination.

Split is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Bern or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Split. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bern or Split Better for Beaches?

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

Split is considered a top beach destination. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Split Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its old town. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Split offers a nice historic old town area. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Split?

Both Bern and Split are superb 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.

Split is well-known for its shopping. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

Is Bern or Split Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Split.

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, Split is very family-friendly. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun for the whole family.

Is Bern or Split Better for Couples?

Split is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Split makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Bern or Split Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Split is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many 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.

Is Bern or Split Better for Students?

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

Split is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Split, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

Is Bern or Split a more walkable city?

Bern and Split both are superb 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.

Split is a very walkable city. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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

Should I spend more time in Split or Bern?

How long in Bern or Split?

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

Families should spend more time in Split than Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Split, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Split than Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Split that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Bern or Split?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Split. 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 Split?

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.

Split is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Split?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the fun-filled destination of Split. This city 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 Split?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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 budget-friendly city of Split 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Split?

Split has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Split, 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 Split?

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 Split in the Summer?

Both Split and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Split. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Split. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Split in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Split. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Split during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Split. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Split in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Split. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is much colder than Split in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Split. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Split. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Split in the Spring?

Both Split and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

It's quite sunny in Split. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Split during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Split. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Split and Bern