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

Should you visit Bern or Stuttgart?

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

Should I visit Bern or Stuttgart? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a dynamic, modern, and authentic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Stuttgart?

You'll generally find more things to do in Stuttgart than Bern. Stuttgart is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Stuttgart is better known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Stuttgart is well known for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Also, Stuttgart is famous for The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Bern different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

Stuttgart 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, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

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 Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Stuttgart?

Both Bern and Stuttgart are high quality 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.

Stuttgart is well-known for its shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Bern or Stuttgart Better for Families?

Bern is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bern. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Bern or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

Bern is a very popular place for couples. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Stuttgart is a nice destination for couples. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Bern or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Bern or Stuttgart Better for Students?

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

Stuttgart is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Stuttgart offer high quality 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 Stuttgart can get you around easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Bern or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Bern is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Bern?

How long in Bern or Stuttgart?

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

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

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.

Stuttgart is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Stuttgart?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful 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.

Stuttgart is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Stuttgart?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic big city of Stuttgart. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Stuttgart?

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.

The diverse city of Stuttgart offers nightlife and food. 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 from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Stuttgart, 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 Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart in the Summer?

Both Stuttgart and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Stuttgart. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Stuttgart. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Bern is around the same temperature as Stuttgart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stuttgart. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Stuttgart in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Stuttgart. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Bern is cooler than Stuttgart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 3°C (38°F).

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

Bern usually gets more rain in January than Stuttgart. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Bern