A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Bergamo for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Bilbao or Bergamo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Bergamo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating, beautiful, and under-rated city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Bergamo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bilbao than Bergamo. Bilbao is bigger than Bergamo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bilbao is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bergamo is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum. Bergamo is well known for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is Bilbao different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergamo and Bilbao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bilbao or Bergamo?

Bilbao is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

Is the Food Better in Bilbao or Bergamo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bergamo is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bergamo. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Bilbao and Bergamo.

Many people head to Bilbao to see the old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Bergamo has an old town worth visiting. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Bergamo?

Bilbao is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Bergamo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Families?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Bilbao is a family-friendly place to visit. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Bergamo both notable destinations for a couple.

Bilbao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Bergamo is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Bergamo are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bergamo. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Students?

Bilbao and Bergamo are notable places to visit for students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

It's common for students to visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Bilbao has some very good public transit options. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Bergamo has some public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Bilbao or Bergamo a more walkable city?

Bergamo is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Bergamo is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is Bergamo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bilbao and Bergamo. In our opinion, Bilbao has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bilbao than Bergamo. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Bergamo 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 Bilbao.

One day in Bilbao or Bergamo?

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Bilbao or Bergamo?

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife 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 Bilbao has to offer.

Bergamo 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 Bilbao or Bergamo?

Bilbao 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 Bergamo. 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 Bilbao or Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. 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 under-rated destination of Bergamo. 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao and Bergamo, we can see that Bergamo 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is Bergamo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Bergamo?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bergamo. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Bergamo, 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 Bilbao or Bergamo?

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 Bilbao or Bergamo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Bergamo. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergamo for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bilbao is cooler than Bergamo in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Bergamo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bergamo this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Bergamo during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Bergamo in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Bilbao is a little warmer than Bergamo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Bergamo averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bergamo. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Bergamo in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Bergamo in the winter. In January, Bilbao is generally much warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Bergamo during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Bergamo in the Spring?

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

Bilbao is around the same temperature as Bergamo in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bergamo fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Bergamo. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Bilbao