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

Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

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.

Nice and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nice is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is known for its museums and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also home to The Promenade des Anglais. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Nice different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bergen is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Nice is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or Bergen Better for Resorts?

Nice is very popular for its resorts. However, Bergen is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Bergen is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Bergen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Bergen Better for Beaches?

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

Nice is considered a top beach destination. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Nice is notable 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

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 Nice or Bergen?

Both Nice and Bergen are excellent shopping destinations.

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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.

Is Nice or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Nice or Bergen Better for Couples?

Nice is very popular for couples. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

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 Nice or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nice and Bergen are good destinations for backpackers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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

Is Nice or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Bergen is a good city 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Both Nice and Bergen offer excellent public transit options.

The public transit in Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

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 Nice or Bergen a more walkable city?

Nice is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Nice on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Nice?

How long in Nice or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nice and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than in Bergen. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

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

One day in Nice or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or Bergen?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bergen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

The nostalgic city of Bergen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Bergen?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice or Bergen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nice or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, 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, Nice is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Bergen. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Nice during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Nice is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. Nice usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Bergen. Most visitors come to Nice for 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. Nice is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Nice usually receives less rain than Bergen. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nice as well as Bergen. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the spring, Nice is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Nice usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Nice