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

Should you visit Alesund or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Alesund or Bologna? 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.

Alesund

Alesund is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a historical, culinary, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alesund or Bologna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Bologna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its big city activities, while Bologna is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Alesund is well known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. Also, Alesund is famous for the Art Nouveau Center. Bologna is well known for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Alesund different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Alesund and Bologna have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Alesund is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

Bologna offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Alesund or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna 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.

Bologna offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

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 Alesund or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alesund or Bologna?

Bologna is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Bologna is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

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 Alesund or Bologna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Alesund or Bologna.

Alesund is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Alesund or Bologna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Alesund and Bologna make for a notable place to visit.

Alesund is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Bologna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Alesund or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

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 Alesund or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is a world-class destination for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Plenty of students 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 Alesund or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Alesund and Bologna offer notable public transit options.

Alesund has a few public transit options. There is a public bus system around town.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Alesund or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Alesund?

How long in Alesund or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alesund and Bologna. In our opinion, Bologna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bologna than Alesund. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Alesund, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

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

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

One day in Alesund or Bologna?

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.

In Bologna, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the 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 Alesund or Bologna?

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.

In Bologna, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bologna has to offer.

Five days in Alesund or Bologna?

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.

Bologna is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Alesund or Bologna?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bologna. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bologna. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Tours for Seniors to Norway, The Best Contiki Tours to Norway, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alesund and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Alesund Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alesund or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Alesund and Bologna, 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 Alesund or Bologna?

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 Alesund or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Alesund are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Alesund is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Alesund average around 12°C (54°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Alesund usually receives more rain than Bologna. Alesund gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alesund or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Alesund during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Alesund is much colder than Bologna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alesund averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. Alesund usually gets more rain in October than Bologna. Alesund gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alesund or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alesund and Bologna. Many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Alesund is a little warmer than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alesund in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Alesund usually receives more rain than Bologna. Alesund gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alesund or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Alesund as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

Alesund can be very cold during spring. In April, Alesund is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Alesund average around 5°C (40°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Alesund usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bologna. Alesund gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Alesund