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

Should you visit Oslo or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Siena, 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 park-filled, green, and clean city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its big city activities, while Siena is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also home to The Royal Palace. Siena is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Oslo different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Siena 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 Siena?

Both Oslo and Siena have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Siena is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Oslo and Siena.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Siena?

Siena is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Siena are good 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.

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Oslo or Siena Better for Students?

Oslo and Siena are both excellent destinations for students and younger travelers.

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Oslo is very popular for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Oslo or Siena a more walkable city?

Oslo and Siena both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oslo or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oslo than Siena 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 Siena.

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

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

One day in Oslo or Siena?

Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Oslo or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Siena is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Siena?

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Siena. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Siena?

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled big city of Oslo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The history city of Siena offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Oslo and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Siena?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Siena, 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 Oslo or Siena?

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 Oslo or Siena in the Summer?

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

Oslo is cooler than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oslo usually receives more rain than Siena. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Oslo during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the autumn, Oslo is much colder than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oslo in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Siena. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Siena. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Siena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. In January, Oslo is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around -4°C (25°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Siena. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

Oslo is much colder than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 6°C (42°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Siena. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Oslo