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

Should you visit Bergen or Trieste?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Trieste? 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a historic, dynamic, and energetic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bergen and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Trieste?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bergen. Although Bergen and Trieste are roughly the same size, Bergen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bergen is very popular for its shopping and small town charm, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Bergen is more touristy than Trieste and is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also well known for Bryggen. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Bergen different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bergen or Trieste.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Both Bergen and Trieste offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bergen area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Trieste. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Bergen and Trieste.

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 Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a popular place for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Trieste is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the nice old towns in both Bergen and Trieste.

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

Trieste is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Trieste?

Bergen is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Trieste.

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.

Trieste is a very family-friendly destination. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bergen and Trieste 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.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bergen and Trieste are nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Trieste is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Bergen or Trieste Better for Students?

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

Trieste is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Both Bergen and Trieste offer excellent public transit options.

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.

Public transit in Trieste is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Is Bergen or Trieste a more walkable city?

Bergen and Trieste both are excellent 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.

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Bergen or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bergen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

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

One day in Bergen or Trieste?

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 food and museums when visiting the destination of Trieste. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bergen or Trieste?

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.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste. 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 Trieste?

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 food and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Trieste. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bergen and Trieste, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Trieste?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Bergen and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bergen is much colder than Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than Trieste. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Trieste in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than Trieste. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bergen or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Trieste. The winter months attract visitors to Bergen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Trieste. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste 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 Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bergen is much colder than Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Trieste. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Bergen