A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Bergen for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Aalborg or Bergen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Bergen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a local, historic, and charming town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Bergen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Aalborg than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Aalborg, Aalborg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Aalborg is better known for its food and nightlife, while Bergen is more popular for its shopping. Aalborg is well known for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Also, Aalborg is famous for the Utzon Center. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Aalborg different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Aalborg and Bergen have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Aalborg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Bergen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Aalborg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Aalborg is an experience not to be missed. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. 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 Aalborg or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Aalborg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

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 Aalborg or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Aalborg and Bergen.

Many visitors go to Aalborg to see the historical old town. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bergen. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Bergen?

Bergen is a great destination for shopping. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Is Aalborg or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bergen is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Aalborg offers lots of family activities. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Is Aalborg or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is a great destination for romance. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Is Aalborg or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg and Bergen are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Aalborg or Bergen Better for Students?

Aalborg and Bergen are notable places to visit for students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

It's common for students to 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 Aalborg or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Bergen can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

While Aalborg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Bergen. In our opinion, Bergen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bergen than Aalborg. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bergen than Aalborg. 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 Bergen than Aalborg 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 Bergen.

One day in Aalborg or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aalborg. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bergen, 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 Aalborg or Bergen?

Aalborg 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.

In Bergen, 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 Bergen has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. 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.

Bergen 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 Aalborg or Bergen?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg 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 Aalborg 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 Aalborg or Bergen in the Summer?

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

In July, Aalborg is generally around the same temperature as Bergen. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Bergen. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Aalborg is around the same temperature as Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Aalborg usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Bergen in the Winter?

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

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Aalborg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Aalborg is much colder than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aalborg in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Bergen. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Aalborg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

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

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Aalborg