A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Flam vs. Bologna for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Flam or Bologna?

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 Flam and Bologna. 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.

Flam

Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and hiking.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Flam and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Flam or Bologna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bologna than Flam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bologna is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Flam is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Flam is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Bologna is well known for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. Also, Bologna is famous for Piazza Maggiore.

How is Flam different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Flam or Bologna?

Bologna is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Is the Food Better in Flam or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bologna, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Flam. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is a great city for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Bologna has something for everybody. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is a great city for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Hiking?

Flam is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bologna is not a hiking destination.

Flam is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Bologna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Flam or Bologna?

Bologna is a great city for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Families?

Flam is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Flam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

Bologna is a family-friendly village. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Couples?

Flam is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for backpackers.

Bologna is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.

Bologna is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Flam is not popular with students.

Is Flam or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Flam and Bologna both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Flam offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a local bus service through the area.

Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Flam or Bologna a more walkable city?

Flam and Bologna are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Flam is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area.

Bologna is a very walkable village. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Flam Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Flam?

How long in Flam or Bologna?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Flam 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 Bologna.

One day in Flam or Bologna?

Flam is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bologna. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Flam or Bologna?

Flam 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. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flam has to offer.

Bologna is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Flam or Bologna?

Flam is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bologna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Flam or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flam. Since Flam is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The historical city of Bologna offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Flam or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 740 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Flam and Bologna, 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 Flam or Bologna?

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 Flam or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Flam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Flam is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Flam average around 15°C (58°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. Flam usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Flam gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Flam or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Flam and Bologna. Many visitors come to Flam in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Flam is much colder than Bologna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Flam averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Flam usually receives more rain than Bologna. Flam gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Flam or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Flam as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bologna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bologna can be very cold. Flam can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Flam is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Flam in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. Flam usually gets more rain in January than Bologna. Flam gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Flam or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Flam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Flam because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In April, Flam is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Flam average around 6°C (43°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. In April, Flam usually receives more rain than Bologna. Flam gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Flam