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

Should you visit Potsdam or Oslo?

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 Oslo 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's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Potsdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its big city activities, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Potsdam and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Potsdam different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Potsdam and Oslo.

Many visitors head to Potsdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

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.

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

Potsdam 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, Potsdam makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

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 Potsdam or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Oslo has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Oslo?

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

Potsdam is a great destination for shopping. 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, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Potsdam or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Potsdam and Oslo are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Potsdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Potsdam or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Oslo 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 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.

Is Potsdam or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is very popular for its public transit. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

The public transit in Potsdam can get you to most places easily. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Is Potsdam or Oslo a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Oslo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Oslo is a very walkable destination. 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 Potsdam Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Oslo?

In either Potsdam or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Potsdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Potsdam, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

One day in Potsdam or Oslo?

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.

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.

A weekend in Potsdam or Oslo?

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.

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.

Five days in Potsdam or Oslo?

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

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.

A week in Potsdam or Oslo?

The historic 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Oslo. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Oslo. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Potsdam is a little warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Potsdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Potsdam is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Potsdam in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Oslo. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Potsdam or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Potsdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

In April, Potsdam is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Oslo. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Potsdam