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

Should you visit Birmingham or Bergen?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Bergen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bergen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Birmingham than Bergen. Birmingham is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Birmingham is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Birmingham different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Birmingham or Bergen?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Theater?

Birmingham is notable for its shows and theatre. However, Bergen is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Bergen is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Bergen can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Music?

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

In Birmingham you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bergen?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Bergen both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Bergen is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Bergen.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Bergen are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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.

Is Birmingham or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bergen is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Bergen Better for Students?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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 Birmingham or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Bergen can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Bergen a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Bergen are great when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Bergen. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Birmingham 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 Bergen.

One day in Birmingham or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the laid back city of Bergen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bergen, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bergen?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bergen, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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.

Bergen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bergen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bergen?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Bergen, 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 Birmingham or Bergen?

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 Birmingham or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Birmingham is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bergen. The autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

Birmingham is a little warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bergen. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bergen. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. In the winter, Birmingham is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Birmingham is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bergen. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Birmingham