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

Should you visit Bergen or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Amalfi? 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.

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.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bergen and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Bergen and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its shopping and small town charm. Amalfi is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bergen or Amalfi.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Amalfi is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi 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, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around 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 Bergen or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

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

Amalfi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

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 Bergen or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a popular place for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

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

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Amalfi?

Bergen is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for Families?

Bergen is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi 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.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for Couples?

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

Amalfi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

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 Bergen or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bergen is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Bergen or Amalfi Better for Students?

Bergen is a city with good options for students. However, Amalfi 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi 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 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.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Bergen or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy 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 Bergen Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Amalfi?

Both Bergen and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Bergen. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

One day in Bergen or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bergen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bergen or Amalfi?

Bergen 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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bergen or Amalfi?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bergen or Amalfi?

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

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque destination of Amalfi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bergen and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi 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 Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi 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 Bergen Expensive? and Is Amalfi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Amalfi?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Amalfi, 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 Bergen or Amalfi?

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 Bergen or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Amalfi. Many visitors come to Bergen in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bergen is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 15°C (58°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Bergen usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bergen or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Amalfi. Most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bergen is much colder than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bergen usually gets more rain in October than Amalfi. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bergen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. In the winter, Bergen is much colder than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bergen in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. It's quite rainy in Bergen. In January, Bergen usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bergen or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Bergen during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Bergen is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 6°C (43°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in April than Amalfi. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Bergen