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

Should you visit Bergen or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Dubrovnik? 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. See Bergen travel costs.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a charming, famous, and cultural coastal town. You'll find world class beauty in Dubrovnik as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Dubrovnik travel costs.

Bergen and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Dubrovnik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although Bergen and Dubrovnik are popular destinations, Dubrovnik has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubrovnik is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Dubrovnik is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows. It is also well known for The Old Town Walls. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dubrovnik 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.

Dubrovnik offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

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 Dubrovnik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubrovnik 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, Dubrovnik is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

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 Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Bergen and Dubrovnik.

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 Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is notable for its resorts. However, Bergen is not a resort destination.

Dubrovnik is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

Bergen is not a resort destination.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is a moderate coastal town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

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

Dubrovnik is a good option for a beach vacation. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is very popular 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.

Dubrovnik has a world-famous historical area. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

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 Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

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

Dubrovnik is a popular spot for hiking. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Dubrovnik?

Bergen is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town 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.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik More Beautiful?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Dubrovnik as well. This historic city has a famous walled old town. It sits beautifully along the coast and offers stunning views of the area.

Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Dubrovnik.

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.

Dubrovnik is a very family-friendly destination. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

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

Dubrovnik makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

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 Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Dubrovnik is a very popular coastal town to visit for backpackers. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town 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 Dubrovnik Better for Students?

Bergen is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik 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, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

The public transit in Bergen can get you to most places 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.

Dubrovnik has a few public transit options. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

Is Bergen or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik on foot. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls 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 Dubrovnik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Dubrovnik?

In either Bergen or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubrovnik than Bergen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Dubrovnik?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Dubrovnik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bergen or Dubrovnik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back 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.

Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back 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.

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

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Dubrovnik. This coastal town 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 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Dubrovnik?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Dubrovnik, 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 Dubrovnik?

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 Dubrovnik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Dubrovnik. The summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

Bergen is much colder than Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

Both Dubrovnik and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. It's quite rainy in Bergen. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Dubrovnik. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

Both Dubrovnik and Bergen during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Dubrovnik. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Dubrovnik. Many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Bergen is much colder than Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Dubrovnik. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Bergen