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

Should you visit Bergen or Siena?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Siena? 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. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Siena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Siena than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Siena is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its shopping and small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Bergen different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena 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 Siena is an experience not to be missed. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Bergen and Siena.

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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Bergen or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena 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.

Siena has a world-famous historical area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena?

Bergen is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Bergen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Bergen or Siena Better for Families?

Bergen is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Bergen is 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Bergen or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bergen and Siena 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.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Bergen or Siena Better for Students?

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

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

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

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.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Bergen or Siena a more walkable city?

Bergen and Siena both are great 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.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bergen or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bergen than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

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

One day in Bergen or Siena?

In Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this nostalgic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bergen or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Siena 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 Siena?

Bergen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bergen. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Siena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Siena?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bergen is much colder than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bergen in July average around 15°C (58°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In July, Bergen usually receives more rain than Siena. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bergen or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Bergen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bergen is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 9°C (48°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Siena. Many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Bergen is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bergen usually receives more rain than Siena. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bergen or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Siena. Most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bergen is much colder than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bergen in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bergen usually gets more rain in April than Siena. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Bergen