A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Glasgow vs. Bergen for Nightlife, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Glasgow or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Bergen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a friendly, cultural, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Glasgow than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Glasgow is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bergen attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also well known for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Glasgow different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Glasgow 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.

Glasgow offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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 Glasgow or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Glasgow and Bergen offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Bergen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Glasgow or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Glasgow is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow or Bergen Better for Music?

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

In Glasgow you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow and Bergen both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Glasgow has an old town worth visiting. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Many visitors go to Bergen to see the historical old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Bergen?

Bergen is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Glasgow or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bergen. 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Glasgow or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bergen is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Glasgow or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Bergen are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Bergen is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Glasgow or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Glasgow is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Glasgow and Bergen both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Is Glasgow or Bergen a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Bergen are very good when it comes to walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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 Glasgow Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Bergen. In our opinion, Glasgow has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Glasgow than Bergen. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

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

One day in Glasgow or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Glasgow. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bergen, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Glasgow or Bergen?

Glasgow 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 Bergen, 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 Bergen has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Bergen?

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

Bergen 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 Glasgow or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly destination of Glasgow. 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 Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Glasgow and Bergen, we can see that Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Bergen?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Glasgow during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Glasgow is around the same temperature as Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Glasgow usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Bergen. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Glasgow usually receives less rain than Bergen. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Bergen. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In January, Glasgow is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Bergen in the Spring?

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

Glasgow is a little warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Glasgow usually receives less rain than Bergen. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Glasgow