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

Should you visit Bergen or Bari?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Bari? 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 nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bari

Bari is a cultural, authentic, and local port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bergen and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Bari?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bari than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bari is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and big city activities, while Bergen attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Bergen is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. Bari is famous for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also well known for San Nicola.

How is Bergen different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bari 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 Bari?

Bari 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.

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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 Bergen or Bari? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bari 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, Bari is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari Better for Nightlife?

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

Bari has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

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 Bari Better for Beaches?

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

Bari is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari 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 Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

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 Bergen or Bari?

Bergen is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

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.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Bergen or Bari Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Bari.

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.

Bari is a very family-friendly destination. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Is Bergen or Bari Better for Couples?

Bergen is a great city for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

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.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Bergen or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bari is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

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

Is Bergen or Bari Better for Students?

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

Bari is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

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

Bergen is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bergen. 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.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Bergen or Bari a more walkable city?

Bergen and Bari both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Bari is very walkable. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bergen and Bari. In our opinion, Bari has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bari than Bergen. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bergen or Bari?

Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari 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 Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Bergen or Bari?

The friendly city of Bergen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bari. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bergen and Bari, we can see that Bari is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Bari, 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 Bari?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bergen or Bari in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Bari. Most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bergen is much colder than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Bari. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Bergen during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Bari. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Bari in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Bari. Many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bari in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Bergen is much colder than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Bari. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Bergen