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

Should you visit Lagos or Bern?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Bern. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lagos

Lagos is a beautiful, scenic, and adventure-filled resort town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lagos and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lagos. Although Lagos and Bern are both popular with visitors, Lagos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lagos is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bern is known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Lagos is more touristy than Bern and is known for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to Ponta da Piedade. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Lagos different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lagos is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

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 Lagos or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Lagos is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lagos offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

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

Is Lagos or Bern Better for Resorts?

Lagos is renowned for its resorts. However, Bern is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Lagos is a great choice. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Bern Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Bern Better for Beaches?

Lagos is renowned for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Lagos. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its historic old town. However, Lagos does not have a historic old town.

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.

Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Is Lagos or Bern Better for Hiking?

Lagos is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Lagos is a popular spot for hiking. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Bern?

Bern is well known for shopping. Also, Lagos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lagos. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Lagos or Bern Better for Families?

Lagos 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, Lagos is a very family-friendly destination. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

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 Lagos or Bern Better for Couples?

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

Lagos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

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 Lagos or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lagos is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many backpackers visit Bern. 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 Lagos or Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bern is well known for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Bern can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Lagos or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is well known for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Bern is very walkable. 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.

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Bern?

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

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

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

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

One day in Lagos or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Lagos. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lagos or Bern?

Lagos is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lagos or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Lagos. This resort town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Bern?

The beautiful resort town of Lagos offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, 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 Lagos and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Lagos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lagos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lagos 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 Lagos.

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

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos 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 Lagos or Bern?

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 Lagos or Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Bern. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lagos this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

Lagos is a little warmer than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Lagos usually receives more rain than Bern. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lagos or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Bern. Many travelers come to Lagos for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lagos is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lagos usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lagos in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Lagos usually receives less rain than Bern. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lagos or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Lagos during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lagos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

Lagos is much warmer than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in April than Bern. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Lagos