Should I Visit Oslo or Bergen? Which is Better for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Food? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive? | Budget Your Trip (2024)

Should you visit Oslo or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Bergen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Bergen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oslo than Bergen. Oslo is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oslo is better known for its museums & sights and big city activities, while Bergen is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Oslo is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Oslo different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Oslo or Bergen?

Oslo is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Is the Food Better in Oslo or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Oslo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Bergen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Oslo and Bergen.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bergen to see the historical old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Bergen?

Bergen is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Bergen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bergen 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, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusem*nt parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Bergen are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Bergen is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Students?

Oslo is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Is Oslo or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is very popular for its public transit. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

Is Oslo or Bergen a more walkable city?

Oslo and Bergen both are very good when exploring on foot.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

Bergen is a very walkable city. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Bergen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Bergen 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 Oslo.

One day in Oslo or Bergen?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Oslo or Bergen?

Oslo 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.

Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Oslo or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Bergen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the clean big city of Oslo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The nostalgic city of Bergen offers nightlife and food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Norway, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Oslo and Bergen, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Bergen?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Bergen, 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 Oslo or Bergen?

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 Oslo or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Oslo is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 18°C (64°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Oslo usually receives less rain than Bergen. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Oslo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Oslo is cooler than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Oslo usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Bergen. The winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. The weather in Oslo can be very cold. In the winter, Oslo is much colder than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oslo in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Bergen. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Bergen. The activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

In April, Oslo is generally around the same temperature as Bergen. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 6°C (42°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Oslo