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

Should you visit Paris or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Paris or Bergen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Paris and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paris or Bergen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Paris than Bergen. Paris is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Paris is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Paris is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. Also, Paris is famous for The Eiffel Tower. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Paris different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Paris is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paris on the map. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

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 Paris or Bergen Better for Theater?

Paris is very popular for its shows and theatre. However, Bergen is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Paris draw crowds from around the world. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Bergen is not a theatre destination.

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

Paris 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, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

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 Paris or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Paris is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

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 Paris or Bergen Better for Music?

Paris is very popular for its music scene. However, Bergen is not a live music destination.

In Paris you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Bergen is not a live music destination.

Is Paris or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Paris does not have a historic old town.

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

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paris or Bergen?

Paris is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Paris is a world class destination for shoppers. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Paris or Bergen Better for Christmas?

Paris is very popular for its Christmas activities. However, Bergen does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a fantastic destination at Christmas. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Bergen does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Paris or Bergen Better for Families?

Paris is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Paris is a very family-friendly destination. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Paris or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Paris makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or 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 Paris or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Paris is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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

Is Paris or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Paris. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad 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.

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

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

Paris has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 Paris or Bergen a more walkable city?

Paris and Bergen are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Paris?

How long in Paris or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paris and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Bergen. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Paris, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

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

One day in Paris or Bergen?

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Paris or Bergen?

Paris 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. 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.

Five days in Paris or Bergen?

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

Bergen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bergen. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Paris or Bergen?

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Which is Bigger, Paris or Bergen?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Paris because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In July, Paris is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 20°C (68°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paris usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Bergen. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paris this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Paris is a little warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Bergen. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paris or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Paris. In the winter, Paris is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paris in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Paris usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paris in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Paris is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 11°C (52°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Bergen. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Paris