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

Should you visit Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a charming, scenic, and character-filled town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

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.

Heidelberg and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Bergen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Heidelberg than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Heidelberg, Heidelberg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heidelberg is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Heidelberg is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also well known for The Heidelberg Castle. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Heidelberg different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bergen is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg has a world-famous historical area. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg or Bergen?

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

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Families?

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

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Bergen both superb destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heidelberg is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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

Is Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Bergen are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Bergen is a good town to visit for students. 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 Heidelberg or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Heidelberg and Bergen both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Heidelberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bergen. 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 Heidelberg or Bergen a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Bergen are superb when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Bergen?

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

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

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

One day in Heidelberg or Bergen?

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

With museums and nightlife around the laid back city of Bergen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bergen, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Bergen?

Heidelberg 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bergen, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Bergen?

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

Bergen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the character-filled destination of Heidelberg. This town 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, 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 Heidelberg and Bergen, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Heidelberg is a little warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Bergen. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene 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 the autumn, Heidelberg is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bergen. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Bergen. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Heidelberg is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

Heidelberg is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bergen. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Heidelberg