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

Should you visit Cologne or Tromso?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Tromso? 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 accessible, vibrant, and colorful 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Tromso

Tromso is a one-of-a-kind, spectacular, and remote town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Cologne and Tromso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Tromso?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Tromso. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Tromso attracts visitors for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cologne is famous 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. Tromso is famous for its stunning nature, beautiful Arctic landscape, and breathtaking fjords.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Tromso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tromso 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 Tromso?

Cologne is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tromso does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cologne. 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.

Tromso does not have museums and landmarks. You can learn about everything having to do with the Arctic at the museum, Polaria. There's also the the Polar Museum, the Arctic Cathedral, and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

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

Tromso 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 Tromso is an experience not to be missed. Fish is the staple around town and you'll find local seasonal fish dishes. There are also modern restaurants that serve international cuisines or trendy options.

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 Tromso Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

The nightlife in Cologne has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Tromso. There's a good nightlife scene with many bars and clubs that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Tromso 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.

Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Hiking?

Tromso is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tromso. The surrounding countryside is filled with fjords, mountains, and pristine wilderness. There are hikes that cater to every level, and a trip to Tromso is not complete without heading into the rural areas.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Tromso?

Cologne is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tromso is not known 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.

Tromso is a good destination for shopping. There are shops sprinkled along the main street, as well as a shopping center or two around town.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Tromso does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in Cologne. 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.

Tromso does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an unbeatable place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Tromso does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in Cologne. 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.

Tromso does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cologne or Tromso.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Tromso is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you visit during the summer or winter season, there are a number of indoor or outdoor activities around town. Many visitors come during the winter months to see the Northern Lights. There's also the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding, and fjords cruises. Indoors, you'll find the Science Center, the Arctic University Museum, and the Troll Museum.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Couples?

Tromso is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Tromso frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many couples, seeing the Northern Lights is an iconic romantic experience. The area also has an amazing outdoor setting with fjords and hiking. Indoors, there are art museums and more.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Tromso 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.

Tromso is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels as well as camping in the area that make this otherwise expensive area somewhat more affordable.

Is Cologne or Tromso Better for Students?

Cologne is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Cologne. 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.

Tromso is a good city to visit for students. Although it's a very small city, there are a large number of students and some big city amenities. There are plenty of entertainment options both in town and in the surrounding countryside.

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

Cologne is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Visitors in Cologne can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.

Tromso has a few public transit options. There's an efficient and reliable bus system in town.

Is Cologne or Tromso a more walkable city?

Cologne and Tromso both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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.

Tromso is very walkable. The city is generally walkable but if you want to get into the countryside you'll need to travel by car or bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Tromso or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Tromso?

Both Cologne and Tromso have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tromso than in Cologne. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cologne, and 4-7 days is enough time in Tromso.

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Tromso. 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 Tromso. 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 Tromso 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 Tromso?

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

Tromso is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cologne or Tromso?

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.

Tromso might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Cologne or Tromso?

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.

Tromso is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tromso has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cologne or Tromso?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful 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 Tromso. Tromso is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Tromso, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Tromso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tromso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tromso 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 Tromso.

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Tromso?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

Both Tromso and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tromso for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cologne is much warmer than Tromso in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Tromso, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Tromso. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Tromso. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Tromso in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Tromso. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Tromso can be very cold. In the autumn, Cologne is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Tromso averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Cologne usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tromso receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than Tromso. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cologne or Tromso in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Tromso. The winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the winter. The weather in Cologne can be very cold. In January, Cologne is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Tromso fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Tromso in the Spring?

Both Tromso and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tromso for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. Cologne is much warmer than Tromso in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tromso during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives less rain than Tromso. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Cologne