A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Barcelona for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Interlaken or Barcelona?

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 Interlaken and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a laid-back, historic, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Barcelona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona. Although Interlaken and Barcelona are both popular with visitors, Barcelona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Barcelona is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Barcelona is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia.

How is Interlaken different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for snow skiing. However, Barcelona is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Barcelona is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Interlaken or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Barcelona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Interlaken or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Barcelona both to be superb destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Barcelona. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Barcelona just to party. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for live music. However, Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Barcelona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Barcelona?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Families?

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

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

Barcelona is a family-friendly town. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Couples?

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

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Interlaken and Barcelona.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Barcelona has some very good public transit options. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Interlaken or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Interlaken is a town with good options for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Interlaken is somewhat walkable. The old town is relatively walkable.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable town. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

For even more information, also check out Is Interlaken Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Barcelona?

Both Interlaken and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Interlaken. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Interlaken 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 Barcelona.

One day in Interlaken or Barcelona?

You'll find skiing and food around the town of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

When visiting Barcelona, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or Barcelona?

You'll find food and skiing around the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

When visiting Barcelona, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Interlaken or Barcelona?

You'll find skiing and food around the adventurous town of Interlaken. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Barcelona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Barcelona?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Barcelona, 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 Interlaken or Barcelona?

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 Interlaken or Barcelona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Barcelona. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Barcelona in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Interlaken is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Barcelona in the Winter?

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

Interlaken can be very cold during winter. In January, Interlaken is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Barcelona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Barcelona. The spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Interlaken is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Interlaken