A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cologne vs. Gjovik for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cologne or Gjovik?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Gjovik? 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a colorful, fun, and accessible city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a relaxed, accessible, and friendly town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cologne and Gjovik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Gjovik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne. Although Cologne and Gjovik are popular destinations, Cologne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cologne is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Gjovik attracts visitors for its food. Cologne is more touristy than Gjovik and is popular for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Gjovik is famous for its beautiful surrounding countryside and nice landscape.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Gjovik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cologne or Gjovik?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Gjovik is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of sights and attractions near town such as the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall and the Royal Palace.

Is the Food Better in Cologne or Gjovik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Gjovik is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Gjovik is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many local restaurants that range from fine dining opportunities to local cafes. Dishes usually include local ingredients that are fresh and high quality.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Cologne has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Gjovik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find some bars and pubs around town as well as a couple of nightclubs.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Gjovik does not have a historic old town.

Cologne has an old town worth visiting. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Gjovik does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Gjovik?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Gjovik is a great destination for shopping. The town center has some nice retail shops with clothing and other interesting items.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Christmas?

Cologne is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Gjovik does not offer Christmas activities.

Known for its popular Christmas activities, Cologne draws large crowds. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Gjovik does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is a world-class destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Gjovik does not offer Christmas markets.

Many people travel to Cologne specifically for the Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Gjovik does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Families?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cologne. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Gjovik. You'll find a combination of museums and outdoor adventure activities. There are climbing parks, Olympic centers, and art galleries that the whole family can enjoy.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Gjovik make for a nice place to visit.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Gjovik is a nice destination for couples. You'll find romantic hotels and many great museums or outdoor parks that couples will appreciate.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Gjovik are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Gjovik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's at least one hostel around town, and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Students?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Gjovik is popular with students. The location offers access to much of what Norway has to offer, making it a nice place to base yourself while you're studying.

Is Cologne or Gjovik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Cologne can get you around easily. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

You'll find some public transit in Gjovik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Cologne or Gjovik a more walkable city?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

Gjovik is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas as well as walking paths just outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Gjovik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gjovik or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Gjovik?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cologne than Gjovik 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 Cologne.

One day in Cologne or Gjovik?

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Gjovik, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 Cologne or Gjovik?

Cologne 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 Gjovik, 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 Gjovik has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Gjovik?

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

Gjovik 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 Cologne or Gjovik?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun big city of Cologne. 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 Gjovik. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Gjovik. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Gjovik, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Gjovik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gjovik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gjovik 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Gjovik.

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Gjovik?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Gjovik. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Gjovik, 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 Cologne or Gjovik?

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 Cologne or Gjovik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Gjovik. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Gjovik for the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Gjovik in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Gjovik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gjovik. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Gjovik. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 246 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gjovik. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Gjovik in the Autumn?

Both Gjovik and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Gjovik in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cologne is much warmer than Gjovik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Gjovik averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Cologne usually receives more sunshine than Gjovik during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or Gjovik in the Winter?

Both Gjovik and Cologne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gjovik can be very cold during winter. Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much warmer than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gjovik. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 40 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Gjovik. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Gjovik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Gjovik. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Cologne is much warmer than Gjovik in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Gjovik fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Gjovik during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives more rain than Gjovik. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Cologne