A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bregenz vs. Baden-Baden for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bregenz and Baden-Baden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bregenz

Bregenz is a cultural, historic, and medieval city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden is a relaxing, nature-oriented, and peaceful spa town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bregenz and Baden-Baden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baden-Baden. Although Bregenz and Baden-Baden are both popular with visitors, Baden-Baden has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Baden-Baden is more popular for its food and hiking, while Bregenz is known for its historical sights. Bregenz is popular for its lakefront setting, its rich culture, and its fun-filled festivals. Baden-Baden is popular for its many thermal baths, spas and wellness centers, as well as its cultural venues and festivals. It is also home to The Thermal Baths.

How is Bregenz different from Baden-Baden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Baden-Baden and Bregenz.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bregenz. The sights are split between the Lower Town and the Upper Town. There's a long history with many historic buildings and museums that you can explore.

Baden-Baden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The spa town has many places worth visiting including the Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Baths, the Museum Frieder Burda, and Altes Schloss Hohenbaden.

Is the Food Better in Bregenz or Baden-Baden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baden-Baden is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Baden-Baden has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are Michelin starred restaurants and many opportunities to sip wine and sample local cuisine. Many consider the Baden cuisine to be among the best in Germany. You'll find wine, sausages, game meat, poultry, and more. Make sure you try the Rehrücken Baden-Baden (Roe Deer), Käsespätzle (cheese spatzle), and Schäufele (pig's shoulder).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bregenz makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many restaurants around town that serve local dishes. Popular options include fish dishes, roasted venison, and baked rabbit. The food is hearty and often served with filling sauces. Cheese platters are also popular.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Bregenz and Baden-Baden.

If you're looking for night time activities Bregenz has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs around town as well as a lively beach bar by the lake.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Baden-Baden. There are trendy, upscale bars and many fine dining opportunities. There's also a casino and a club in town.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for its Old Town?

Bregenz is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bregenz to see the old town. The old town is filled with medieval buildings that each have a fascinating and sometimes dark story to tell.

Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Hiking?

Baden-Baden is very good for hiking. However, Bregenz is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Baden-Baden. Located near the Black Forest, you'll find a number of great hikes and walking trails just outside of town.

Bregenz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bregenz and Baden-Baden both offer plenty of good spots.

Bregenz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A mix of international brands and local shops make shopping a fun and diverse experience. Wandering the streets and popping in the selection of retail stores is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Baden-Baden is a great destination for shopping. The city is filled with boutiques that sell jewelry, chocolate, designer fashion, and fine wine. There are several pedestrian shopping streets including the popular Lange-Strasse.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Bregenz or Baden-Baden.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bregenz. Its location on Lake Constance means that there are a wide range of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. There are also a number of kid-friendly museums, zoos, and other places that will inspire young minds.

Baden-Baden is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get into nature with hikes and wildlife reserves. There's also a funicular and castles to explore as well as several kid-friendly museums.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Couples?

Both Bregenz and Baden-Baden are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Bregenz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The lakefront setting offers a romantic atmosphere for couples. There's a lakefront promenade that you can stroll down as well as several great museums and some interesting historical sights.

Baden-Baden is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a spa town, so there are thermal baths that couples can enjoy. There are also many gardens and walks through the countryside. The old town is picturesque and the castles are fun to explore.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bregenz is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bregenz. There are a few hostels around town that make this an easy stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

Baden-Baden is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find a hostel or two in town, but most of the tourists aren't backpackers so you may have trouble meeting other like-minded travelers.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bregenz is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for times when you don't have a car.

Bregenz has a few public transit options. There are five bus lines that run around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Baden-Baden. There are a number of bus lines that run around town.

Is Bregenz or Baden-Baden a more walkable city?

Bregenz and Baden-Baden are good when it comes to walkability.

Bregenz is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Baden-Baden is somewhat walkable. It's possible to walk around parts of town, but it's easier to explore with a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Bregenz Worth Visiting? and Is Baden-Baden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baden-Baden or Bregenz?

How long in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bregenz than Baden-Baden 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 Bregenz.

One day in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Bregenz. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Baden-Baden, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This spa town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the medieval destination of Bregenz. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Baden-Baden, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Baden-Baden has to offer.

Five days in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

The cultural city of Bregenz offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Baden-Baden is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bregenz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baden-Baden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baden-Baden. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Music Tours in Austria, The Best Budget Tours to Austria, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bregenz or Baden-Baden?

Baden-Baden has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bregenz. When comparing the sizes of Bregenz and Baden-Baden, 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.