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

Should you visit Girona or Bergen?

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 Girona and Bergen. 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.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Bergen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Girona than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Girona, Girona has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Girona is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is known for its nightlife. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. It is also home to The Girona Cathedral. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Girona different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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

Girona is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Girona is an experience not to be missed. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Girona or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Bergen is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Girona or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Girona 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.

Girona has a world-famous historical area. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

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 Girona or Bergen?

Both Girona and Bergen are superb shopping destinations.

Girona is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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 Girona or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Girona or Bergen Better for Couples?

Girona and Bergen both superb destinations for a couple.

Girona is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Girona or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Bergen are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

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

Is Girona or Bergen Better for Students?

Girona and Bergen are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Girona is a good city to visit for students. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

Bergen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Girona or Bergen a more walkable city?

Girona 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 Girona on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Girona?

How long in Girona or Bergen?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Girona 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 Girona.

One day in Girona or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Girona or Bergen?

Girona 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.

Bergen 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.

Five days in Girona or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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

A week in Girona or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Girona. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 Girona and Bergen, we can see that Girona 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 Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona 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 Girona Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Girona or Bergen?

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

Both Bergen and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Girona is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Girona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Girona usually receives less rain than Bergen. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Girona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Girona is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Girona usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Bergen. Many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Girona is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Girona usually receives less rain than Bergen. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Girona as well as Bergen. Most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Girona is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Girona usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Girona