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

Should you visit Potsdam or Bergen?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Bergen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a historic, accessible, and compact city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bergen than Potsdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bergen is more popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Potsdam is known for its museums, food, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also home to Bryggen.

How is Potsdam different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

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 Potsdam or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Potsdam and Bergen.

Potsdam has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Bergen has a few options to choose from. 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 Potsdam or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is very good for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Bergen?

Bergen is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Potsdam or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Potsdam offers lots of family activities. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Potsdam or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Potsdam or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Bergen are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Potsdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Potsdam or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is very good for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Bergen is popular with 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Potsdam and Bergen.

Potsdam has some very good public transit options. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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 Potsdam or Bergen a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Bergen both are great when exploring on foot.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored 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 Potsdam Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Bergen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Potsdam 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 Bergen.

One day in Potsdam or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Potsdam. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bergen, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Potsdam or Bergen?

Potsdam 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.

In Bergen, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Bergen has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Bergen?

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

Bergen is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Potsdam or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Potsdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Bergen, we can see that Potsdam 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 Potsdam Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Bergen. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Potsdam is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Bergen. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In October, Potsdam is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. Potsdam is much colder than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Potsdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Potsdam is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Potsdam usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Potsdam