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

Should you visit Bern or Zadar?

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

Should I visit Bern or Zadar? 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zadar

Zadar is a laid back, relaxed, and coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bern and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Zadar?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Zadar than Bern. While Bern is larger than Zadar, Zadar has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Zadar is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Bern is more touristy than Zadar and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also well known for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Bern different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Zadar. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

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

Zadar 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, Zadar makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

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 Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Zadar are nice 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 Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Resorts?

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

Zadar is known as a popular and fun resort destination. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few good snorkeling spots. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Beaches?

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

Zadar is considered a top beach destination. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both Bern and Zadar.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Zadar. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Zadar?

Bern is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Families?

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

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Zadar is a family-friendly city. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Zadar make for a high quality 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.

Zadar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Zadar are high quality destinations for backpackers.

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.

Many backpackers visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Is Bern or Zadar Better for Students?

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

Zadar is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

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

Bern has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Zadar has some public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Bern or Zadar a more walkable city?

Bern and Zadar both are high quality 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.

Zadar is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Bern?

How long in Bern or Zadar?

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Zadar?

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful 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 Zadar. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Zadar?

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.

Zadar is a fun place to experience. 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 Zadar?

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 relaxed destination of Zadar. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming 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 vibrant town of Zadar offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Zadar?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Zadar, 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 Zadar?

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 Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Zadar. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Zadar. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Zadar. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Zadar. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Zadar. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Bern