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

Should you visit Albufeira or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Bergen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a vibrant, touristy, and popular resort town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Albufeira. Although Albufeira and Bergen are both popular with visitors, Albufeira has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Albufeira is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Albufeira is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. It is also home to Praia da Falesia. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Albufeira different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bergen is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Albufeira 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 Albufeira is an experience not to be missed. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, the city also has the widest selection of restaurants. There are traditional options that serve up classic dishes like grilled sardines, as well as international restaurants with traveler favorites. As expected, you'll find a lot of seafood, but you'll also find inland influences from local farms in the area.

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 Albufeira or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Albufeira is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's probably the most infamous party destination in the Algarve and it won't disappoint. During the peak summer months you'll find the streets around the popular "Strip" filled with tourists and party-goers. There are hen and stag parties, backpackers, and drunken travelers out for a good time. The Strip has become so popular that there are now bars and clubs on the adjacent streets as well. If you're not staying in the area, you'll likely want to take a taxi, as it's a couple kilometers outside of the town center.

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 Albufeira or Bergen Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is very popular for its resorts. However, Bergen is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Albufeira is a great choice. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, you'll find a wide selection of hotels to choose from. Party-goers will want to stay near the Strip while families will prefer the old town or resorts in Olhos de Agua.

Bergen is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Albufeira. There are countless vendors who will take you by boat to explore the underwater world, either by snorkeling or scuba diving. The marine life is impressive and the water is generally clear.

Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is very popular for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Albufeira. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers. For water sports, head to Praia dos Alemaes but for relaxation and catching some rays check out Praia da Falesia. You'll find some interesting rock formations at Praia dos Olhos de Agua. One of the most convenient beaches to town is Praia dos Pescadores. For nightlife you'll want to head to Praia da Oura.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a popular place for its old town. However, Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Albufeira is a good destination for hiking. There are countless coastal walks that are perfect for all skill levels. Many offers stunning views along the rocky coast and pass through natural settings. Popular trails in the area include Praia Grande Interpretation Trail and Paderne Castle Trail.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Bergen?

Bergen is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Bergen is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Albufeira has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most of the shops are geared toward souvenirs or beach items, particularly near the beach and marina. If you look hard you might find some nice ceramics or items made of cork.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Families?

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

Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Albufeira offers lots of family activities. Despite it's reputation as a party-hard city, there are actually a lot of family-friendly activities in the area. Because it's the largest resort town in the Algarve, it also has the most activities to choose from, including theme parks, water parks, dolphin watching, ropes courses, go karting, and more. The best area's for families are in the old town or the most of the family-friendly resorts outside of town. Families should avoid staying near "the Strip."

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Couples?

Albufeira is very popular for couples. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Albufeira makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For an active honeymoon or couple's retreat, this resort town has it all. Beautiful beaches, adventure-filled activities, a wild nightlife scene, and excellent resorts and restaurants all make for a memorable couple's getaway.

Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Albufeira or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is very popular for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Albufeira is a very popular resort town to visit for backpackers. If you're looking for a party, then you found it. The area is a top pick for European holidays, so you'll find plenty of energy and activities around town. There are also golden beaches and a decent selection of hostels to choose from.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Albufeira or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a popular place for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Bergen is popular with students. 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.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is a great destination for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bergen can get you around 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Albufeira. There are regional buses and even trains, but do take note that many of the train and bus stations are a good distance outside of town.

Is Albufeira or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Albufeira is generally not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to hire a car, but if your hotel is near the beach and you're ok with walking to restaurants, then you may be able to get away without one. If you hope to travel into the countryside at all then a car is necessary.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Albufeira and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than in Bergen. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

One day in Albufeira or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Albufeira. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Bergen?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Bergen?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Bergen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the activity-filled destination of Albufeira. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Bergen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, 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 Albufeira and Bergen, we can see that Albufeira 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 Albufeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Albufeira 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 Albufeira Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira 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 Albufeira 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 Albufeira or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the summer, Albufeira is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Bergen. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Bergen. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Albufeira is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Albufeira is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Bergen. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Albufeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Albufeira is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Albufeira