A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Alesund for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Aalborg or Alesund?

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 Aalborg and Alesund. 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.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a historic, charming, and local town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alesund. Although Aalborg and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Alesund has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alesund is more popular for its big city activities and impressive beauty, while Aalborg is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm. Aalborg is popular for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Alesund is popular for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. It is also home to the Art Nouveau Center.

How is Aalborg different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Alesund?

Both Aalborg and Alesund have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Aalborg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Alesund offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Aalborg and Alesund.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Aalborg makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Alesund has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As Norway's largest fishing port, you'll find plenty of seafood offerings around town. A favorite is bacalao de noruega (dried and salted clipfish), but also make sure you try the lobster soup.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Aalborg offers plenty to do in the evening. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alesund. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Aalborg is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Aalborg to see the historical old town. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Alesund?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Alesund and Aalborg.

Aalborg is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Alesund. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and Alesund are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aalborg. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Alesund offers lots of family activities. There's an aquarium and several great parks including Tueneset Naturlekeplass, which is near the aquarium. There's also hiking in the area and other outdoor adventures.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Couples?

Aalborg and Alesund both good destinations for a couple.

Aalborg is a nice destination for couples. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Alesund makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful setting with spectacular views and fun restaurants. There are many great hikes in the area, and many visitors like to use this town as a base for exploring nearby places.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg is a popular place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alesund is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a limited number of hostels in town so apartments may be the best option for backpackers. It's also hard to get around the region without a car.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Students?

Aalborg and Alesund are good places to visit for students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

It's common for students to visit Alesund. There's a small student population, which means that the group stays close and everyone is very welcoming. The town also makes a great base for exploring this part of Norway.

Is Aalborg or Alesund Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aalborg and Alesund.

You'll find some public transit in Aalborg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system around town.

While Alesund offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a public bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Alesund a more walkable city?

Aalborg and Alesund both are good when exploring on foot.

Aalborg is somewhat walkable. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

Alesund is a somewhat walkable place. The city center can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Alesund Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Alesund. In our opinion, Aalborg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Aalborg than Alesund. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Aalborg than Alesund. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aalborg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aalborg than Alesund 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 Aalborg.

One day in Aalborg or Alesund?

In Aalborg, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Alesund, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Aalborg or Alesund?

In Aalborg, 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 Aalborg has to offer.

In Alesund, 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 Alesund has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Alesund?

Aalborg 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.

Alesund 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 Aalborg or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aalborg. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alesund. 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 Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aalborg and Alesund, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg than you might in Alesund.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aalborg Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Alesund?

Aalborg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Alesund, 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 Aalborg or Alesund?

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 Aalborg or Alesund in the Summer?

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

Aalborg is a little warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Alesund in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Aalborg is around the same temperature as Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aalborg in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Aalborg usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Alesund in the Winter?

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

Alesund can be very cold during winter. Aalborg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Aalborg is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around -1°C (31°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Alesund in the Spring?

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

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Aalborg is a little warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Aalborg