A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Bergen for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Old Town

Should you visit Amsterdam or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

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.

Amsterdam and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its food and small town charm. Amsterdam is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Amsterdam different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

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 Amsterdam or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Amsterdam is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

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 Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Music?

Amsterdam is very popular for its music scene. However, Bergen is not a live music destination.

In Amsterdam you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Bergen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bergen and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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 Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Bergen are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Bergen is a great city 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 Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Amsterdam is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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

Is Amsterdam or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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 Amsterdam or Bergen a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Amsterdam on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored 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 Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Bergen. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

One day in Amsterdam or Bergen?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Amsterdam or Bergen?

Amsterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly 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 Amsterdam or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Amsterdam or Bergen?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in 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 from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam and Bergen, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Bergen?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Bergen. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, 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 the summer, Amsterdam is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Bergen. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music 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 October, Amsterdam is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam can be very cold. Amsterdam is a little warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

In the spring, Amsterdam is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Amsterdam