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

Should you visit Interlaken or Bressanone?

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 Bressanone can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Bressanone

Bressanone is a quaint, picturesque, and idyllic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Bressanone: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Bressanone?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bressanone than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bressanone is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Bressanone and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Bressanone is well known for its charming old town and its idyllic setting. Also, Bressanone is famous for The Bressanone/Brixen Cathedral.

How is Interlaken different from Bressanone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for winter skiing. However, Bressanone is not a skiing destination.

Head to Interlaken for some great skiing and other winter activities. 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.

Bressanone is not a skiing destination.

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

Bressanone is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Bressanone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors simply enjoy soaking up the town's atmosphere, but sights around town include The Royal Palace, the cathedral, and Franzenfeste Fortress.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Bressanone 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 Bressanone. Despite its small size, there are many family run restaurants that make use of ingredients from local farms. The town also hosts a few culinary festivals throughout the year.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Nightlife?

Bressanone is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bressanone. It's a small town with some quaint bars and pubs where you can enjoy a beer and chat with other visitors.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for its Old Town?

Bressanone 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 Bressanone. The cathedral and beautiful old buildings make this a charming place to explore.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Many visitors go to Bressanone for the hiking trails. There's a huge variety of hikes in the surrounding countryside. You can walk alongside the river, head into the foothills, or explore the nearby vineyards.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Bressanone?

Bressanone is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bressanone. The medieval streets are lined with family-owned shops, boutique clothing stores, and other unique local shopping opportunities.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Families?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bressanone is a town with minimal options 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!

For families, Bressanone is not always the best place to visit. It's a great town to take a lunch break. The kids will enjoy wandering the alley-like streets. There's a river through town and great views of the Alps.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Bressanone is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This charming town is seeped in romance. The quaint streets and surrounding mountain setting make this an idyllic place to take a romantic trip.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Bressanone are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Interlaken is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bressanone. There's a couple of hostels and cheaper guesthouses in town, so backpackers can enjoy a few days in this picturesque alpine town.

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

Interlaken is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Interlaken. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

While Bressanone offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains and buses throughout the region.

Is Interlaken or Bressanone a more walkable city?

Bressanone is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Bressanone is very walkable. The town is compact and small enough to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bressanone or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Bressanone?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Interlaken or Bressanone to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Interlaken than Bressanone because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bressanone.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Bressanone. 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 Bressanone. 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 Bressanone 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 Bressanone.

One day in Interlaken or Bressanone?

With food and skiing around the adventurous town of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bressanone might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bressanone, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Bressanone?

With skiing and food around the destination of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Even though Bressanone is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 town.

Five days in Interlaken or Bressanone?

Interlaken, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bressanone, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Interlaken or Bressanone?

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.

Bressanone 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Bressanone?

Bressanone has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Bressanone, 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.