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

Should you visit Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a historic, vibrant, and accessible city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

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.

Heraklion and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Bergen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Heraklion than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bergen is known for its historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Heraklion is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Heraklion different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Heraklion 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.

Heraklion offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

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 Heraklion or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

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 Heraklion or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Heraklion has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

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 Heraklion or Bergen Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is notable for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Heraklion is considered a top beach destination. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a city with good options for its old town. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Bergen?

Bergen is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Bergen is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bergen is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heraklion. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

Is Heraklion or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Heraklion makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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 Heraklion or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heraklion is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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

Is Heraklion or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Bergen has some very good public transit options. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Heraklion or Bergen a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Bergen are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and Bergen. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heraklion. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Bergen?

Heraklion 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Bergen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling destination of Heraklion. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bergen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and 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, Heraklion is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Bergen. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion 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. Heraklion is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Bergen. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the spring, Heraklion is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Bergen. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Heraklion