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

Should you visit Murren or Cologne?

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 Cologne 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. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Murren or Cologne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cologne than Murren, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cologne is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Murren is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Murren is well known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Cologne is well known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. Also, Cologne is famous for The Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Murren different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Skiing?

Murren is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Cologne is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Murren should be on your list. 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.

Cologne is not a skiing destination.

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

Cologne is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cologne. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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 Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Murren and Cologne can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Murren offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Cologne has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is well known for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cologne to see the historical old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Hiking?

Murren is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne is not a hiking destination.

People visit Murren specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Cologne?

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

Cologne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

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 Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Murren does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, Cologne is not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Murren does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Murren does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit Cologne because of the beautiful Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Murren does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Families?

Both Murren and Cologne are excellent to visit with kids.

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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cologne is very family-friendly. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Couples?

Murren is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Murren makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cologne is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Murren or Cologne Better for Students?

Cologne is well known for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Cologne. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Murren is not popular with students.

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

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Cologne is top-notch. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

While Murren offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

Is Murren or Cologne a more walkable city?

Murren is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Cologne is very walkable. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Murren?

How long in Murren or Cologne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Murren and Cologne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Murren than in Cologne. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cologne.

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

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

One day in Murren or Cologne?

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.

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Murren or Cologne?

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.

Cologne 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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 colorful big city of Cologne. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Murren or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 2140 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Cologne, 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.