A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Utrecht vs. Bergen for Old Town, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Utrecht or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Utrecht 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.

Utrecht

With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Utrecht and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Bergen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Utrecht than Bergen. Utrecht is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Utrecht is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen is more popular for its small town charm. Utrecht is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. Also, Utrecht is famous for the Dom Tower. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Utrecht different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Utrecht and Bergen have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Utrecht is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

Bergen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Foodies will find both Utrecht and Bergen both to be notable destinations.

Utrecht offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Bergen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Utrecht or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Utrecht has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

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 Utrecht or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Utrecht is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Utrecht has a world-famous historical area. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Utrecht or Bergen?

Both Utrecht and Bergen are high quality shopping destinations.

Utrecht is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Bergen is well-known for its shopping. 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 Utrecht or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Utrecht is a family-friendly . There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

Is Utrecht or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Utrecht is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

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 Utrecht or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Utrecht is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Utrecht is a very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Utrecht or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Utrecht is a very popular for students and younger travelers. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

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

Both Utrecht and Bergen offer high quality public transit options.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Utrecht. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

Public transit in Bergen can get you to some 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 Utrecht or Bergen a more walkable city?

Utrecht is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Utrecht on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

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 Utrecht Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Utrecht and Bergen. In our opinion, Utrecht has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Utrecht than Bergen. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Utrecht 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 Utrecht.

One day in Utrecht or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Utrecht. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bergen, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Utrecht or Bergen?

Utrecht 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.

In Bergen, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Bergen has to offer.

Five days in Utrecht or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Utrecht. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 great place to explore. 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 Utrecht or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the canal-filled destination of Utrecht. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 Utrecht and Bergen, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Bergen?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Utrecht 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 July, Utrecht is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 17°C (62°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Bergen. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Utrecht or Bergen in the Autumn?

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

Utrecht is a little warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Utrecht usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Bergen. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Utrecht. In the winter, Utrecht is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Utrecht in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Bergen. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Utrecht or Bergen in the Spring?

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

In April, Utrecht is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 8°C (46°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Utrecht usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Utrecht