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

Should you visit Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a outdoorsy, mountainous, and scenic city. 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 skiing, nightlife, and food.

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.

Innsbruck and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Innsbruck or Bergen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Innsbruck than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Innsbruck, Innsbruck has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Innsbruck is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is known for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Innsbruck is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. It is also home to The Golden Roof in the old town. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

The Golden Roof in the old town

How is Innsbruck different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Skiing?

Innsbruck is notable for snow skiing. However, Bergen is not a skiing destination.

Innsbruck is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Bergen is not a skiing destination.

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

Bergen is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

Bergen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck is an experience not to be missed. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

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 Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Innsbruck has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.

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 Innsbruck or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Hiking?

Innsbruck is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Innsbruck is a popular spot for hiking. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Innsbruck or Bergen?

Bergen is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bergen is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Families?

Both Innsbruck and Bergen are excellent to visit with kids.

Innsbruck is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

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.

Is Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Innsbruck is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

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 Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Innsbruck is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

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

Is Innsbruck or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Innsbruck is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

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

Both Innsbruck and Bergen offer excellent public transit options.

Innsbruck has some very good public transit options. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

The public transit in Bergen can get you to most 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.

Is Innsbruck or Bergen a more walkable city?

Innsbruck and Bergen both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Innsbruck is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.

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 Innsbruck Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Innsbruck?

How long in Innsbruck or Bergen?

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

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

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

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

One day in Innsbruck or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Innsbruck. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Innsbruck or Bergen?

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Innsbruck. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Innsbruck or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Innsbruck. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vienna, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg, 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 Innsbruck and Bergen, we can see that Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Innsbruck or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Innsbruck. When comparing the sizes of Innsbruck 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.