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

Should you visit Bern or Stockholm?

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

Should I visit Bern or Stockholm? 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.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a safe, expensive, and beautiful city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Stockholm: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Stockholm?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stockholm than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Stockholm is more touristy than Bern and is known for its many bridges and water culture, its open air museum, and its colorful old town. It is also well known for Gamla Stan (the old town). Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

Gamla Stan (the old town)

How is Bern different from Stockholm?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Stockholm have excellent 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 Stockholm specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights and museums include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Open-Air Museum, and the Royal Palace.

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

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

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

Stockholm has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most famous for its Swedish meatballs, there is so much more to the food scene in this city. Although they're expensive, the restaurants often have a relaxed atmosphere with dishes that take advantage of local, fresh ingredients. Seafood is obviously popular as well.

Is Bern or Stockholm Better for Nightlife?

Stockholm 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.

Stockholm offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is a particularly fun place to visit during the summer months when clubs open outdoor areas and parties happen day and night.

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 Stockholm Better for Music?

Stockholm is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Stockholm is a world class music destination. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Stockholm Better for its Old Town?

Stockholm is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Stockholm is one of the most recognized in the world. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Stockholm?

Both Bern and Stockholm are excellent 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.

Stockholm is well-known for its shopping. Right by Gamla Stan, you'll find the city's main shopping street of Drottninggatan. The city has great jewelry and artisan crafts.

Is Bern or Stockholm Better for Families?

Stockholm is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Stockholm is a very family-friendly destination. As cities go, this is among the most child-friendly in Europe. There are many unique activities like Junibacken, which is a Pippi Longstocking themed kid's museum. There's also Tom Tits Experiment, which is a hands on science and technology museum, the swimming pools at Eriksdalsbadet, and the amusement park Gröna Lund.

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.

Is Bern or Stockholm Better for Couples?

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

Stockholm makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The city is filled with romance, from wandering around Gamla Stan to taking a dinner cruise or exploring a rose garden. During the winter months, the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere bring the city to life.

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 Stockholm Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Stockholm. While the city has a lot to offer, many backpackers avoid the area because it is so expensive. There are some hostels, but in general food and entertainment are all going to cost a lot.

Is Bern or Stockholm Better for Students?

Stockholm is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Stockholm is a good city to visit for students. The cost of the city scares off many international students, but those that come here will find a clean, safe, and fun city with excellent academics.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Stockholm is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Stockholm has a great public transit system. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Bern or Stockholm a more walkable city?

Stockholm 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 Stockholm on foot. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

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 Stockholm Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Stockholm or Bern?

How long in Bern or Stockholm?

Both Bern and Stockholm have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stockholm than in Bern. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-7 days is enough time in Stockholm.

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Stockholm?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Stockholm is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Stockholm?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Stockholm is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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 Stockholm?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Bern. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Stockholm is a beautiful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or Stockholm?

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Stockholm is a expensive city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Sweden, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Stockholm.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Stockholm?

Stockholm has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Stockholm, 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 Stockholm?

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 Stockholm in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Stockholm. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Stockholm for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bern is a little warmer than Stockholm. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Stockholm averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Stockholm this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stockholm during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Stockholm receives 260 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Stockholm. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Stockholm in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Stockholm. 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 Stockholm because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bern is generally much warmer than Stockholm. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Stockholm fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Stockholm. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stockholm receives 99 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Stockholm. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Stockholm in the Winter?

Both Stockholm and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stockholm this time of year.

It's quite cold in Stockholm in the winter. The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bern is much warmer than Stockholm in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Stockholm fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Stockholm during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Stockholm receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Stockholm. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Stockholm in the Spring?

Both Stockholm and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Stockholm for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bern is much warmer than Stockholm. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Stockholm averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Stockholm. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stockholm receives 185 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Stockholm. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Stockholm and Bern