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

Should you visit Rouen or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Rouen 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Bergen?

Both Bergen and Rouen have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Rouen is more popular for its food and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its shopping and small town charm. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Rouen different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Rouen and Bergen.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen is an experience not to be missed. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Rouen and Bergen.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

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 Rouen or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Rouen and Bergen.

Many people head to Rouen to see the old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Bergen?

Bergen is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Bergen Better for Families?

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

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Rouen or Bergen Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Bergen make for a high quality place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bergen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Bergen is a good city to visit for 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Both Rouen and Bergen offer high quality public transit options.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen or Bergen a more walkable city?

Rouen and Bergen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily 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 Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Bergen?

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

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Rouen. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Rouen 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 Rouen or Bergen?

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

In Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid back 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 Rouen or Bergen?

Rouen 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.

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 Rouen or Bergen?

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

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

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of 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 the summer, Rouen is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Rouen usually receives less rain than Bergen. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Rouen is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Bergen. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, 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 Rouen. Rouen is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Bergen. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Bergen. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

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

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Rouen