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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Bergen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Bergen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bergen attracts visitors for its historical sights and small town charm. Bergen is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bergen and Rotterdam.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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 Rotterdam or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Bergen can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Bergen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Bergen has an old town worth visiting. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Bergen?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Bergen both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Bergen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Bergen are superb family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Bergen is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Bergen is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Bergen are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international 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 Rotterdam or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam and Bergen both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Rotterdam offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bergen. 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 Rotterdam or Bergen a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Bergen are superb when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Bergen. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

One day in Rotterdam or Bergen?

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Bergen?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Bergen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Bergen?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nostalgic city of Bergen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Bergen?

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

Bergen is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, 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 Rotterdam and Bergen, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Bergen?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Rotterdam is a little warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Bergen. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Bergen. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

Rotterdam is a little warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Bergen. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Rotterdam