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

Should you visit Bergen or Florence?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Florence? 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Florence

Florence is a alluring, historical, and artistic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen and Florence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Florence?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Florence than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Florence is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its small town charm. Florence is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. It is also home to The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore). Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Florence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Florence is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Florence on the map. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.

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 Florence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Florence 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, Florence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean bed and cabbage soup.

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 Florence Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Bergen and Florence.

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 Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.

Is Bergen or Florence Better for its Old Town?

Florence 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.

Florence has a world-famous historical area. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.

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 Florence?

Both Bergen and Florence are very good shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.

Is Bergen or Florence Better for Families?

Bergen is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bergen is very family-friendly. 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.

Florence is a family-friendly place to visit. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.

Is Bergen or Florence Better for Couples?

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

Florence makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.

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 Florence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Florence is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.

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 Florence Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Florence. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.

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 Florence 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, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Bergen can get you to some 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.

Florence has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system.

Is Bergen or Florence a more walkable city?

Florence 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 Florence on foot. Most people explore the city 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 Florence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Florence or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Florence?

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Florence?

The city of Bergen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Florence. 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.

A weekend in Bergen or Florence?

Bergen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bergen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Florence 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 Florence?

Bergen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Bergen or Florence?

Bergen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the alluring destination of Florence. 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.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Florence?

Florence has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Florence, 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 Florence?

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 Florence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Florence. Many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Florence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bergen is generally much colder than Florence. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 15°C (58°F), and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Florence in the Autumn?

Both Florence and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bergen is much colder than Florence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Florence. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Florence in the Winter?

Both Florence and Bergen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Florence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bergen is much colder than Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bergen in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Florence averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Florence. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Florence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Florence. The spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Florence this time of year.

In April, Bergen is generally much colder than Florence. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 6°C (43°F), and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Florence. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Florence and Bergen