A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Bergen for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Helsinki and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Bergen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bergen than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Bergen, Bergen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bergen is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm, while Helsinki is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Helsinki is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also home to Bryggen.

How is Helsinki different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Helsinki 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.

Helsinki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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 Helsinki or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Bergen both to be good destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bergen area. 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 Helsinki or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Bergen.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Bergen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Helsinki or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a city with good options for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bergen. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Bergen?

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

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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 Helsinki or Bergen Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Bergen are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Bergen are both good destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

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

Is Helsinki or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Helsinki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Helsinki and Bergen.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Bergen offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 Helsinki or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Bergen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Helsinki. 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 Helsinki. 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.

One day in Helsinki or Bergen?

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

The city of Bergen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Bergen?

Helsinki 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bergen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Bergen?

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

Bergen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, 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 Helsinki and Bergen, we can see that Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Bergen?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Helsinki for 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, Helsinki is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping 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, Helsinki is generally much colder than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Bergen. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. Helsinki can be very cold during winter. Helsinki is much colder than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bergen in the Spring?

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

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Bergen. Helsinki gets 41 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 Helsinki