A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bergen vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Bergen or Rotorua?

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

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

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Rotorua travel costs.

Bergen and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Rotorua?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rotorua than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Rotorua, Rotorua has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rotorua is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bergen attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Rotorua is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also well known for Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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 Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotorua is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Rotorua is an experience not to be missed. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Bergen and Rotorua.

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 Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Bergen or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Bergen or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

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

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Rotorua?

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

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Bergen or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bergen or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Rotorua is a very family-friendly destination. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Bergen or Rotorua Better for Couples?

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

Rotorua makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Rotorua is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Students?

Bergen is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

Is Bergen or Rotorua 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, Rotorua 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 Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Bergen or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Bergen is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Bergen is a very walkable destination. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bergen and Rotorua. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotorua than Bergen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Rotorua?

In Bergen, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

In Bergen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Bergen is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Rotorua. This 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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bergen and Rotorua, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bergen is in Europe and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen than you might in Rotorua.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bergen Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Rotorua?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bergen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Bergen or Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Bergen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bergen in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bergen is a little warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Rotorua. Most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Rotorua. 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 Rotorua this time of year.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.

Bergen is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Bergen