A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aix-en-Provence vs. Bergen for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aix-en-Provence 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.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a historic, vibrant, and laid-back town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bergen than Aix-en-Provence. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bergen is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Aix-en-Provence is famous for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also well known for Bryggen.

How is Aix-en-Provence different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Aix-en-Provence or Bergen.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

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 Aix-en-Provence or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

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 Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Bergen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Bergen offers a nice historic old town area. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Aix-en-Provence is a world class destination for shoppers. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergen. 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.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Bergen is known to be 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.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence and Bergen are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Bergen is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence and Bergen are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

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

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

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 Aix-en-Provence or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is well known for its public transit. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bergen can get you to most places easily. 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 Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Bergen a more walkable city?

Aix-en-Provence and Bergen both are very good when exploring on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Aix-en-Provence?

How long in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

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

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Aix-en-Provence. 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 Aix-en-Provence. 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.

One day in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

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

The nostalgic destination of Bergen offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

Aix-en-Provence 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.

The city of Bergen offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. 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. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, 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 Aix-en-Provence and Bergen, we can see that Aix-en-Provence 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 Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence 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 Aix-en-Provence Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aix-en-Provence or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Aix-en-Provence. When comparing the sizes of Aix-en-Provence 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 Aix-en-Provence 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 Aix-en-Provence or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aix-en-Provence and Bergen. Many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Aix-en-Provence is much warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Bergen. Aix-en-Provence gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aix-en-Provence as well as Bergen. Most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Aix-en-Provence is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aix-en-Provence in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Aix-en-Provence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Aix-en-Provence are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence 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. In January, Aix-en-Provence is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 7°C (44°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Bergen. Aix-en-Provence gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Aix-en-Provence during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

Aix-en-Provence is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Aix-en-Provence gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Aix-en-Provence