A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Murren vs. Brescia for Couples, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Murren or Brescia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Brescia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a authentic, breathtaking, and stunning town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Brescia

Brescia is a undisovered, authentic, and under-rated city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Murren or Brescia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Murren. Although Murren and Brescia are both popular with visitors, Murren has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Murren is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Brescia is known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Murren is more touristy than Brescia and is known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. It is also home to Lauterbrunnen Valley. Brescia is popular for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Murren different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Brescia Better for Skiing?

Murren
Brescia

Murren is renowned for winter skiing. However, Brescia is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Murren is among the best in the world. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Brescia is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Brescia?

Murren
Brescia

Brescia is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Brescia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Brescia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Murren
Brescia

Brescia is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Brescia makes for a great culinary experience. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Murren has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Murren or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Murren
Brescia

Brescia is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Brescia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.


Is Murren or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Murren
Brescia

Murren is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Murren draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Brescia?

Murren
Brescia

Brescia is well known for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Brescia is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Murren or Brescia Better for Families?

Murren
Brescia

Murren is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.


Is Murren or Brescia Better for Couples?

Murren
Brescia

Murren is renowned for romance. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Murren has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Brescia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Murren or Brescia Better for Students?

Murren
Brescia

Brescia is a city with good options for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

Brescia is popular with students. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Murren is not popular with students.

Is Murren or Brescia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Murren
Brescia

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Murren and Brescia.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

While Brescia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.


Is Murren or Brescia a more walkable city?

Murren
Brescia

Murren is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Brescia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Murren?

How long in Murren or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Murren or Brescia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Murren than Brescia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-2 days is enough time in Brescia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brescia than Murren 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 Brescia.


  • How many days in Murren or Brescia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Murren 2-4 
    Brescia 1-2

One day in Murren or Brescia?

Murren is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Brescia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Murren or Brescia?

Murren might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Murren has to offer.

Brescia 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 Murren or Brescia?

Murren is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brescia. 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 Murren or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Murren. Since Murren is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Brescia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Brescia or Murren?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Murren is $407, while the average daily cost in Brescia is $154. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Murren and Brescia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Murren $217
    Brescia $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Murren $434
    Brescia $160
Compare Hotels in Murren and Brescia

Looking for a hotel in Murren or Brescia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Murren


Hotels in Brescia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Murren Hotel Prices and Brescia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Murren $50
    Brescia $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brescia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brescia:

  • Lake Garda Hills Wine Tasting, Picnic in a vineyard and Transfer: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Murren or Brescia?

Prices for flights to both Brescia and Murren change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Murren $150
    Brescia $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.

  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167

Typical Food Prices in Brescia

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brescia:


  • Dinner at Pizzaria (for 2)
    $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brescia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brescia.

  • Wine Tasting and Dinner/Lunch or Aperitivo in Franciacorta Winery: $32
  • 3 Hour Private Italian Tradition Cooking Class in Brescia: $76
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Brescia with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Desenzano del Garda with Show Cooking: $93
  • Cooking class in a garden: handmade pasta: $113
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Desenzano del Garda: $158
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Brescia: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Murren $59
    Brescia $33

Tours and Activities in Murren

Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123
  • Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
  • Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279

Tours and Activities in Brescia

Here are a few actual costs in Brescia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Brescia Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local: $4.19
  • Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $6.42
  • Guided Tour in Lugana DOP - 3 wines from Perla del Garda: $33
  • Sirmione Sunset Tour: $38
  • Desenzano Sunset Walking and Boat Tour with a Drink On Board: $57
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour with a Drink in Brescia Italy: $71
  • Italy most underrated city:Brescia-Walking tour with a drink: $74
  • Photographic tour at sunset on Lake Garda: $78
  • Canyoning "Gumpenfever" - beginner Canyoningtour for everyone: $84
  • Lake Cruise (visit Torri & Gargnano): $91
  • Desenzano e-bike tour: $98
  • Brescia Private Walking Tour: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Murren $19
    Brescia $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Brescia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brescia:

  • Wine Tour and Tasting of Lugana Wines in Desenzano: $49
  • Franciacorta: Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with Snacks: $80
  • Vineyard Tour: Top Franciacorta Wine Tasting: $82
  • E-Bike tour and Wine tasting from Desenzano Inland: $92
  • Self-guided Wine tour in Franciacorta, Full-Day Experience with Lunch: $147
  • From Milan: Lake Iseo, Bergamo & Franciacorta Wine Tour: $738
  • VIP Experience to Lake Iseo and Franciacorta Wine Tasting: $1,604


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

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


Which is Bigger, Murren or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 420 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Brescia, 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.

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