A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Lisbon or Bern?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Bern? 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.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a colorful, vibrant, and stunning city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lisbon than Bern. Lisbon is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lisbon is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. Also, Lisbon is famous for Castelo de São Jorge. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Lisbon different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lisbon is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lisbon that are not to be missed. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

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

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

Lisbon is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.

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 Lisbon or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lisbon is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.

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

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for Music?

Lisbon is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Lisbon is a world class music destination. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Lisbon is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Lisbon is one of the most recognized in the world. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lisbon is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Bern.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lisbon. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.

Bern is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Lisbon or Bern Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Bern make for a high quality place to visit.

Lisbon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Lisbon is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

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 Lisbon or Bern Better for Students?

Lisbon is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Lisbon is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

Is Lisbon or Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lisbon is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lisbon has a great public transit system. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Lisbon or Bern a more walkable city?

Lisbon is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Lisbon on foot. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.

Bern is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lisbon and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Bern. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bern 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.

Five days in Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon is a colorful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon is a stunning city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bern. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week 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 Lisbon and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Bern?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Bern?

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 Lisbon or Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In the summer, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Bern. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Bern. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. Lisbon is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Bern. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Bern. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Lisbon is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Bern. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Lisbon