A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Bergen for Attractions, Old Town, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Edinburgh or Bergen?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Bergen can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and theater.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is known for its food and small town charm. Edinburgh is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Edinburgh different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Theater?

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

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bergen is not a theatre destination.

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

Bergen is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Bergen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Music?

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

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Edinburgh has a world-famous historical area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Edinburgh and Bergen.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bergen. 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 Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Bergen are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Bergen is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Bergen are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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

Is Edinburgh or Bergen Better for Students?

Edinburgh is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Bergen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bergen can get you to some places 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.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Bergen a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bergen. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bergen. 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 Edinburgh or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nostalgic city of Bergen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bergen 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 Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Bergen, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bergen?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Bergen. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bergen. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Bergen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Bergen. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the spring, Edinburgh is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bergen. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Edinburgh