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

Should you visit Bergen or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Reykjavik? 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 friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Bergen and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bergen than Reykjavik. Bergen is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bergen is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. Also, Bergen is famous for Bryggen.

How is Bergen different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Bergen and Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Reykjavik?

Bergen is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Reykjavik.

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.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bergen and Reykjavik make for a very good place to visit.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bergen and Reykjavik are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Bergen and Reykjavik are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Bergen is a good city to visit for 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.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik 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, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bergen or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Bergen and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Reykjavik?

In either Bergen or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bergen than Reykjavik. 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 Bergen than Reykjavik 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 Bergen.

One day in Bergen or Reykjavik?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bergen or Reykjavik?

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.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

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 nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Reykjavik. This city 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Reykjavik?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bergen is a little warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bergen in July average around 15°C (58°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

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

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In October, Bergen is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 9°C (48°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Reykjavik in the Winter?

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

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Bergen can be very cold during winter. Bergen is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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 natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In the spring, Bergen is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bergen in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Bergen