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

Should you visit Graz or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Graz or Bonn? 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.

Graz

Graz is a medieval, cultural, and historical city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Bonn?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Graz than Bonn. While Bonn is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Graz is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bonn attracts visitors for its quaint atmosphere. Graz is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also well known for The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Graz different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Graz and Bonn.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Graz. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

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 Graz or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Graz 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 Graz has something for everybody. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

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 Graz or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Graz is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Graz has a world-famous historical area. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Bonn?

If you're looking to go shopping, Graz and Bonn both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Graz is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Is Graz or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Graz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Is Graz or Bonn Better for Couples?

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

Graz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Bonn are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Graz. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

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 Graz or Bonn Better for Students?

For students, both Graz and Bonn are high quality places to visit.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Bonn is very popular with students. 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.

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

Graz and Bonn both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Graz can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Bonn offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Is Graz or Bonn a more walkable city?

Graz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Graz is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Graz?

How long in Graz or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Graz and Bonn. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Graz than Bonn. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Graz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

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

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

One day in Graz or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Graz. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bonn. 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 Graz or Bonn?

Graz 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.

Bonn 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.

Five days in Graz or Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Graz. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Bonn. 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 Graz or Bonn?

The cultural city of Graz 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.

The beautiful city of Bonn 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Bonn, 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 Graz or Bonn?

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 Graz or Bonn in the Summer?

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

In July, Graz is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 23°C (73°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Graz. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Bonn. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Graz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

Graz is around the same temperature as Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Bonn. Many travelers come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Graz. In the winter, Graz is much colder than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Bonn. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Graz as well as Bonn. Many visitors come to Graz in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Graz often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets more rain in April than Bonn. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Graz