A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Berlin for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh or Berlin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Berlin 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of Edinburgh is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the theater, nightlife, and live music. See Edinburgh travel costs.

Berlin

Berlin is a artsy, creative, and eclectic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food. See Berlin travel costs.

Edinburgh and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Berlin. While Berlin is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Edinburgh is better known for its theatre productions, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Berlin is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Berlin and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Berlin is well known for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

How is Edinburgh different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Berlin.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Berlin on the map. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Berlin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berlin is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

Berlin is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Berlin is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

Edinburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Edinburgh and Berlin.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

In Berlin you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Berlin does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Berlin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Berlin is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin More Beautiful?

Edinburgh is a great city for its scenery and beauty. However, Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Edinburgh is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.

Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Berlin are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh and Berlin are both first-rate destinations for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Berlin is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Students?

Berlin is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Berlin is a very popular city for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berlin is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Berlin can take you anywhere. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Berlin a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Both Edinburgh and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Edinburgh. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Edinburgh 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 Berlin.

One day in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

People visit Berlin because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Edinburgh 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.

People visit Berlin because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Berlin because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Berlin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant destination of Edinburgh. 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.

Berlin is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Berlin, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Berlin, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Berlin?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Berlin, 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 Edinburgh or Berlin?

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 Edinburgh or Berlin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Berlin. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Berlin in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Berlin this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Berlin during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Berlin. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Berlin. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Berlin averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Berlin. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Berlin in the Winter?

Both Berlin and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Berlin. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Edinburgh usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Berlin. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the spring for the activities around the city.

Edinburgh is cooler than Berlin in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Berlin. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Berlin. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Edinburgh