A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Potsdam vs. Flam for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Potsdam or Flam?

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 Flam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Flam

Flam is a natural, breathtaking, and beautiful village. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and hiking.

Potsdam and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Flam?

Both Flam and Potsdam have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Potsdam is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Flam attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Flam is more touristy than Potsdam and is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Potsdam different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Potsdam is a great city for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Potsdam. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

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

Both Potsdam and Flam offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Potsdam. 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.

Flam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Potsdam or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Potsdam is a good destination for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Potsdam or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Potsdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Flam. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Potsdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Flam?

Potsdam is a good destination for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Potsdam. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Potsdam or Flam Better for Families?

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

Flam is a very kid-friendly village. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

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 Flam Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Flam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

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 Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Flam are nice 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 Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Potsdam is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.

Visitors to Potsdam can move around easily with public transportation. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Potsdam or Flam a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Flam both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

Flam is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Potsdam Worth Visiting? and Is Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Potsdam or Flam to fill your time. In our opinion, Potsdam has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Potsdam than Flam. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Potsdam or Flam?

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

Flam is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This village 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 Flam?

Potsdam 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.

Flam might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flam has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Flam?

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

Flam is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Flam?

The compact city of Potsdam 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flam. Since Flam is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Flam, 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 Flam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Flam?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Potsdam or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Potsdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Potsdam is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Potsdam usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Flam. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Potsdam is a little warmer than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Flam. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Flam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Flam. The winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. In the winter, Potsdam is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Potsdam in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Potsdam usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Potsdam is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In April, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Flam. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Potsdam