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

Should you visit Zermatt or Brescia?

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 Zermatt and Brescia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a stunning, iconic, and breathtaking town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Brescia

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

Zermatt and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zermatt or Brescia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zermatt. Although Zermatt and Brescia are both popular with visitors, Zermatt has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Zermatt is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Brescia is known for its museums. Zermatt is more touristy than Brescia and is known for its skiing, hiking, winter sports, and stunning views of Matterhorn. It is also home to The Matterhorn. Brescia is popular for its historic and archeological sights.

The Matterhorn

How is Zermatt different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Skiing?

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

The snow ski experience you'll have in Zermatt is among the best in the world. This is Europe's highest ski resort and it is one of the most famous and beautiful, at the base of the world renowned Matterhown. The slopes attract professional skiers from around the world who come for the challenging skiing and spectacular setting.

Brescia is not a skiing destination.

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

Brescia is very good for its sights and museums. However, Zermatt is not a good town for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Zermatt specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You don't visit Zermatt for the museums, but it is worth checking out the Matterhorn Museum while you're in town.

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

Both Zermatt and Brescia offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zermatt makes for a great culinary experience. There are actually many great restaurants right on the slopes, so you don't have to head into town to enjoy a meal. In town, you'll find many cozy restaurants that have terraces that offer spectacular views.

Brescia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Zermatt is well known for nightlife. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Zermatt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town cuts loose in the evening with locals and visitors intermingling at the many bars and live music venues around town. Elegant fun is a great way to describe the nightlife scene and whether you're looking for a mellow night out or a more vibrant party, there's something for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Brescia has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Resorts?

Zermatt is well known for its resorts. However, Brescia is not a resort destination.

Zermatt is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of upscale inns and hotels in town. Many have pools or hot tubs with views of the mountains.

Brescia is not a resort destination.

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Zermatt draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zermatt or Brescia?

Both Zermatt and Brescia are excellent shopping destinations.

Zermatt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Luxury boutiques that sell jewelry, watches, and clothing are found all around town. You'll also find sporting equipment or anything that you may have forgotten. For the best shopping in town head to Bahnhofstrasse.

Brescia is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Families?

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

Zermatt is a very family-friendly place to visit. From world class hiking to countless outdoor adventures, this is a great place to explore with kids. There are a number of kid-friendly ways to view Matterhorn as well as cable cars and Glacier Palace.

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 Zermatt or Brescia Better for Couples?

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

Zermatt has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.

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 Zermatt or Brescia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zermatt is well known for backpackers. However, Brescia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Zermatt. There are a couple of hostels in town that cater to the backpacker and budget crowd. It's an expensive place to visit, with food and entertainment costing a lot, but if you can swing it, it's well worth a visit.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Zermatt or Brescia Better for Students?

Brescia is very good for students. However, Zermatt is not popular with students.

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

Zermatt is not popular with students.

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

Both Zermatt and Brescia offer good public transit options.

Zermatt has a few public transit options. There are ebuses in town, but the town itself is car free and walking is your best option.

Brescia has some public transit options. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Zermatt or Brescia a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Zermatt on foot is easy. There aren't any cars in town so this is a very pedestrian-friendly town with charming streets and walking paths.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Zermatt?

How long in Zermatt or Brescia?

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

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

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

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

One day in Zermatt or Brescia?

In Zermatt, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Brescia, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Zermatt or Brescia?

In Zermatt, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Zermatt has to offer.

In Brescia, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brescia has to offer.

Five days in Zermatt or Brescia?

Zermatt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zermatt has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Brescia is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Zermatt or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zermatt. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Zermatt. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brescia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brescia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zermatt and Brescia, we can see that Zermatt 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive? and Is Brescia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zermatt or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt 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.

When is the best time to visit Zermatt or Brescia?

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 Zermatt or Brescia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Brescia. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brescia for the family-friendly experiences.

Zermatt is around the same temperature as Brescia in the summer. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brescia this time of the year. In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zermatt usually receives less sunshine than Brescia during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Brescia. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zermatt or Brescia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Brescia. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Brescia in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zermatt is around the same temperature as Brescia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zermatt in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Brescia averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 137 hours of full sun.

Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Brescia. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zermatt or Brescia in the Winter?

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

Brescia can be very cold during winter. Zermatt can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zermatt is generally much warmer than Brescia. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 5°C (41°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Brescia. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zermatt or Brescia in the Spring?

Both Brescia and Zermatt during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zermatt for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Brescia because of the natural beauty.

Zermatt is around the same temperature as Brescia in the spring. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brescia. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 169 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Brescia. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Zermatt