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

Should you visit Bergen or Como?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Como? 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. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Bergen and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Bergen attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Como is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Como 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, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Bergen and Como.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Bergen or Como Better for Beaches?

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

Como is a good option for a beach vacation. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Como Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Bergen has an old town worth visiting. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Bergen or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Como?

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

Como is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Bergen or Como Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Como.

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.

Como is a very family-friendly destination. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Bergen or Como Better for Couples?

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

Como makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Como is a very popular lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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 Como Better for Students?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with 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.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Bergen or Como a more walkable city?

Bergen and Como both are very good 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.

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Bergen or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

One day in Bergen or Como?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. 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 Como?

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.

Como 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.

Five days in Bergen or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly 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 Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Como?

The nostalgic 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 food and shopping when visiting the fun destination of Como. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Como?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Bergen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bergen is much colder than Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Como. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Como. Many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Como. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Como. Most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Bergen can be very cold during winter. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Como. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Bergen is much colder than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Como. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Bergen