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

Should you visit Cardiff or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Bergen? 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.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a up-and-coming, green, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cardiff than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cardiff is more popular for its big city activities and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Cardiff is popular for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. It is also home to The Cardiff Castle. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Cardiff different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Cardiff and Bergen.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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.

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

Bergen is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Bergen has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

If you're looking for night time activities Bergen has a few options to choose from. 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 Cardiff or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a popular place for its old town. However, Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Bergen?

Bergen is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Cardiff or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Cardiff or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is a great destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bergen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Bergen Better for Students?

Cardiff and Bergen are good places to visit for students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

It's common for students to 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 Cardiff or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is a great destination for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bergen can get you around easily. 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 is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and Bergen. In our opinion, Bergen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bergen than Cardiff. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cardiff. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Cardiff or Bergen?

Cardiff 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.

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.

Five days in Cardiff or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. 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.

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.

A week in Cardiff or Bergen?

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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours 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 Cardiff and Bergen, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Bergen?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Bergen?

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 Cardiff or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the summer, Cardiff is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Bergen. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Bergen. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Cardiff is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cardiff usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. Cardiff is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Bergen. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Cardiff during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Cardiff is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cardiff usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Cardiff