A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Oslo for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bucharest or Oslo?

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 Bucharest and Oslo. 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Oslo than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Oslo, Oslo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Oslo is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Bucharest attracts visitors for its historical sights and shopping. Oslo is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Oslo?

Oslo is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Bucharest and Oslo.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Oslo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Oslo.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Oslo has a few options to choose from. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bucharest to see the historical old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Oslo?

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Bucharest is a great destination for shopping. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Couples?

Oslo is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Oslo are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Many students visit Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Bucharest offers a very effecient public transportation network. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Is Bucharest or Oslo a more walkable city?

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

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Oslo?

In either Bucharest or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Bucharest because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Bucharest 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 Oslo.

One day in Bucharest or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Oslo?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Bucharest. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or Oslo?

The cultural city of Bucharest offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Oslo?

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

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 Bucharest or Oslo in the Summer?

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

In July, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Oslo in the Autumn?

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

Bucharest is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Oslo in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In the winter, Bucharest is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Oslo in the Spring?

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

In April, Bucharest is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Bucharest