Which place is cheaper, Bergen or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.
Thessaloniki is a vibrant, high energy, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bergen is known for its historical sights and small town charm. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen and Thessaloniki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Thessaloniki 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.
Thessaloniki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.
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.
Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international restaurants.
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.
Thessaloniki is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Thessaloniki has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.
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.
Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.
The beach in Thessaloniki is worth checking out. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.
Bergen is not a beach destination.
Bergen is a popular place for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bergen. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.
Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.
Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Thessaloniki and Bergen.
Thessaloniki is well-known for its shopping. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bergen. 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.
Bergen is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bergen is very family-friendly. 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.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thessaloniki. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.
Bergen is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.
Thessaloniki is a good city for couples to visit. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.
Thessaloniki is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Thessaloniki is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.
Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.
Thessaloniki is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.
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.
Bergen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
The public transit in Bergen can get you around 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.
You'll find some public transit in Thessaloniki, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.
Bergen is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
Bergen is a very walkable city. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.
Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable city. You can explore much of the city center on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Thessaloniki and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Thessaloniki than in Bergen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.
Families should spend more time in Bergen than Thessaloniki. 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 Thessaloniki. 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Bergen, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this nostalgic city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Thessaloniki 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.
Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Thessaloniki. This 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 place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Bergen is €102. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Thessaloniki and Bergen in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Bergen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
Prices for flights to both Bergen and Thessaloniki change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Bergen, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.
In the summer, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Bergen. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bergen and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In October, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bergen. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bergen and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki 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. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Bergen. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.
In the spring, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bergen. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Thessaloniki | Bergen | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) |