A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oslo vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Oslo or Pompeii?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Pompeii, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Oslo and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Oslo than Pompeii, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Oslo is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii is more popular for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace.

How is Oslo different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Oslo or Pompeii?

Pompeii is an amazing archeological site to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Is the Food Better in Oslo or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oslo is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Oslo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Oslo is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Pompeii?

Oslo is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Oslo has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Families?

Oslo is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Oslo and Pompeii are both notable to visit as a couple.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Pompeii are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Pompeii is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Students?

Oslo is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Oslo is very popular with students. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Oslo or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Oslo or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is an amazing archeological site to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oslo or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oslo than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Pompeii 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 Oslo.

One day in Oslo or Pompeii?

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Oslo or Pompeii?

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Oslo or Pompeii?

Oslo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums around the iconic destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Oslo. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The one-of-a-kind archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oslo and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii than you might in Oslo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oslo Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Oslo or Pompeii?

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 Oslo or Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Oslo during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oslo is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 18°C (64°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Oslo. In the summer, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Pompeii. The autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Oslo is much colder than Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Oslo usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oslo or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. In the winter, Oslo is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oslo in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Oslo usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

In April, Oslo is generally much colder than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 6°C (42°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Oslo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during spring. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oslo usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Oslo