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

Should you visit Bern or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Bern or Toulon? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and real world port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Toulon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulon than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches, while Bern is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also home to The Old Town.

How is Bern different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Bern and Toulon.

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

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Toulon are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a moderate port city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Toulon is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Toulon?

Both Bern and Toulon are great 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.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Families?

Bern is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Couples?

Bern is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Bern or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Bern is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bern is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Bern or Toulon a more walkable city?

Bern and Toulon both are great 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.

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Bern?

How long in Bern or Toulon?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Toulon?

Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Toulon. This port 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bern. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The off-the-beaten-path port city of Toulon 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Toulon?

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

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is cooler than Toulon in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Toulon. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bern is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Toulon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Toulon. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Toulon. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Toulon. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bern is cooler than Toulon in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Toulon. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Bern