A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Copenhagen vs. Bern for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Copenhagen or Bern?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Copenhagen and Bern can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a laid-back, progressive, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Copenhagen and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Copenhagen or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Copenhagen than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Copenhagen is famous for its colorful buildings, beautiful canals, progressive policies, and happy population. It is also well known for Tivoli Gardens. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Copenhagen different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Copenhagen or Bern?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Copenhagen and Bern.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Copenhagen. There are many sights and landmarks around town including Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn Harbor, and The Round Tower. Some of the most popular museums are the National Museum of Denmark and the National Gallery of Denmark.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Copenhagen is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Copenhagen is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. In recent years the celebrity food scene has put this city on the map. There are many Michelin star restaurants around town including the world famous Noma. But there's also a diversity of restaurants to choose from, ranging from elegant, award-winning options to cozy local eateries. Danish food includes a lot of pastries and sandwiches. Make sure you try a rød pølse, or local hot dog from one of the many stands around town.

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 Copenhagen or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Copenhagen is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Copenhagen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene stays active until the early morning hours with many bars and clubs staying open until 5 or 6 in the morning. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include Istedgade and EnghavePlads in Vesterbro, Sankt Hans Torv in Nørrebro and some areas around Frederiksberg.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Copenhagen or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Both Copenhagen and Bern have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Copenhagen is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Indre By is the oldest part of the city and where you'll find most of the sights and attractions. This is where most visitors stay and you'll find many great restaurants and activities to enjoy.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Copenhagen or Bern?

Copenhagen is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Copenhagen is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Design and style is notorious with Danish culture. You'll find many great local boutique or fashion design shops in town. Købmagergade is one of the busiest and most famous shopping streets in town, but you should also visit the street parallel to it, Pilestræde.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Copenhagen or Bern Better for Families?

Copenhagen is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Copenhagen is a very family-friendly destination. The city almost feels like it was designed with kids in mind. There are countless playgrounds, beaches, and other kid-friendly places to explore. Also make sure you stop by Tivoli Gardens, which has rides and rollercoasters that everyone can enjoy. The city also has an aquarium, zoo, and even a deer park. The Little Mermaid statue may fascinate Disney lovers, and if you want to get out on the water there are boat tours through the canals.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Copenhagen or Bern Better for Couples?

Copenhagen is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Copenhagen makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The city is filled with a positive energy that will rejuvenate any couple. You can hire a bike or hop on a boat to explore town, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets. There are many parks and gardens to explore and culture lovers will appreciate the many museums.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Copenhagen or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Copenhagen and Bern are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Copenhagen. While the city is expensive, there are still plenty of free things to do like simply wandering the neighborhoods. The city has a relaxed and friendly vibe that will almost make you forget all of the money you're spending.

Bern is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Is Copenhagen or Bern Better for Students?

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

Copenhagen is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a reputation as the happiest in the world, and students are no exception. There are plenty of activities for students as well as a relaxed, yet productive, atmosphere. It's easy to explore the town on foot or by bike as well.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Copenhagen is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Copenhagen has a great public transit system. There are metros, s-trains, waterbuses, and regular buses available.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Copenhagen or Bern a more walkable city?

Copenhagen is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Copenhagen on foot. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but there are also plenty of bikes available as well.

Bern is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Copenhagen?

How long in Copenhagen or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Copenhagen and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Copenhagen than in Bern. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Copenhagen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Copenhagen or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Copenhagen. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful city of Bern, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Copenhagen or Bern?

Copenhagen is a fun place to experience. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bern, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Copenhagen or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the relaxed destination of Copenhagen. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bern, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Copenhagen or Bern?

The relaxed city of Copenhagen 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.

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Copenhagen or Bern?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Copenhagen and Bern, 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 Copenhagen or Bern?

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 Copenhagen or Bern in the Summer?

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

In July, Copenhagen is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Copenhagen average around 17°C (63°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Copenhagen usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Copenhagen gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Bern in the Autumn?

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

Copenhagen is cooler than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Copenhagen averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In October, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Bern. Copenhagen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Bern in the Winter?

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

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Copenhagen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Copenhagen is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Copenhagen in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Copenhagen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bern. Copenhagen gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Copenhagen and Bern. The spring months attract visitors to Copenhagen because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In April, Copenhagen is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Copenhagen average around 7°C (45°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Copenhagen usually receives less rain than Bern. Copenhagen gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Copenhagen