A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Naples for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bonn or Naples?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Naples? 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.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a gritty, colorful, and fascinating city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Naples?

You'll generally find more things to do in Naples than Bonn. Naples is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Naples is better known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Bonn is more popular for its quaint atmosphere. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Naples is well known for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. Also, Naples is famous for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Bonn different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Naples and Bonn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bonn or Naples?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Bonn or Naples.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Many visitors head to Naples specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Bonn or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Naples is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Naples is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Naples has something for everybody. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the very good old towns in both Bonn and Naples.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Naples?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bonn and Naples both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Naples is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Families?

Bonn is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Couples?

Naples is a great city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Naples is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Naples is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Bonn is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Bonn or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bonn and Naples both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

The public transit in Naples can get you around easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Bonn or Naples a more walkable city?

Bonn and Naples are very good when it comes to walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

Naples is a very walkable city. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Naples. In our opinion, Naples has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Naples than Bonn. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Bonn 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 Naples.

One day in Bonn or Naples?

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

Naples 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. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bonn or Naples?

Bonn 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.

Naples is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Bonn or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. 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 historic big city of Naples. This city 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 Bonn or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bonn. 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 authentic city of Naples offers nightlife and food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Naples, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Naples much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Naples would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Naples 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Naples.

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Naples, 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 Bonn or Naples?

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 Bonn or Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Naples. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bonn is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Naples. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Bonn is cooler than Naples in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Naples. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Naples because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Naples. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Naples averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Naples. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Naples. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In April, Bonn is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Naples during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Naples. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Bonn