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

Should you visit Bergen or Rome?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Rome? 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. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome

Rome is a bustling, fun-filled, and popular city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Bergen and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Rome?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen attracts visitors for its historical sights and small town charm. Rome is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

The Colosseum

How is Bergen different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome 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 Rome on the map. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome 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, Rome is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

Rome is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

Rome is very popular for its music scene. However, Bergen is not a live music destination.

In Rome you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Bergen or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

Bergen offers a nice historic old town area. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Rome?

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

Rome is a world class destination for shoppers. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Rome.

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.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Bergen or Rome Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bergen and Rome make for a excellent 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.

Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Bergen or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Rome is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome Better for Students?

Rome 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 Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

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 Rome Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rome is very popular for its public transit. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Rome has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Is Bergen or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Rome?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Rome?

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.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bergen or Rome?

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.

Rome is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bergen or Rome?

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 Rome. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Rome?

The laid back 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.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Rome, 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 Rome?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bergen or Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Rome. Many visitors come to Bergen in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Bergen usually receives more rain than Rome. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bergen or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Rome. Most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bergen usually gets more rain in October than Rome. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bergen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In January, Bergen usually receives more rain than Rome. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bergen or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Bergen during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Bergen