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

Should you visit Bern or Trieste?

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

Should I visit Bern or Trieste? 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a historic, dynamic, and energetic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bern and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Trieste?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bern than Trieste. While Trieste is larger than Bern, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Trieste is more popular for its beaches. Bern is more touristy than Trieste and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Also, Bern is famous for The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Trieste is well known for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Bern different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bern and Trieste.

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

Trieste has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Trieste are notable 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 Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Beaches?

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

Trieste is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Trieste?

Bern is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bern. 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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Trieste.

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, Trieste is very family-friendly. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Trieste make for a excellent place to visit.

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.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trieste 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Bern or Trieste Better for Students?

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

Trieste is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Trieste offer excellent 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 Trieste can get you around easily. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Is Bern or Trieste a more walkable city?

Bern and Trieste both are excellent 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.

Trieste is a very walkable city. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Bern?

How long in Bern or Trieste?

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

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

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and museums around the cultural destination of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The dynamic city of Trieste offers museums and nightlife. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bern is generally cooler than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in July than Trieste. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Trieste. 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 Trieste because of the natural beauty of the area.

Bern is cooler than Trieste in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Trieste. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Trieste. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Trieste. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Trieste averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Trieste. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Bern is generally cooler than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Trieste. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Bern