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

Should you visit Bali or Alesund?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a spiritual, cultural, and stunning island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Bali travel costs.

Alesund

Alesund is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Alesund is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Alesund travel costs.

Bali and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Alesund?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bali. Although Bali and Alesund are popular destinations, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Alesund attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also well known for Pura Lempuyang. Alesund is famous for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Bali different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alesund is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali 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, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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 Bali or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali or Alesund Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Alesund is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Alesund is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Alesund Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Alesund is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Alesund is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Alesund Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Alesund is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Alesund is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Alesund Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Alesund?

Bali 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.

Bali is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

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 Bali or Alesund More Beautiful?

Bali is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Alesund is a beautiful place to visit, too. The architecture, viewpoints, and nearby fjords make this a great stop off on any Norwegian adventure.

Is Bali or Alesund Better for Families?

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

Bali is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Alesund is a family-friendly island. 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 Bali or Alesund Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

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 Bali or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

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 Bali or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Alesund is a good city to visit for students. 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.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Both Bali and Alesund offer nice public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

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

Is Bali or Alesund a more walkable city?

Alesund is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

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

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Bali?

How long in Bali or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Alesund. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Alesund?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Alesund. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Alesund?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Alesund is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Alesund?

Bali is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Alesund. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The laid back city of Alesund offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Alesund is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Alesund?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Alesund?

Alesund has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bali is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Alesund. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

Bali is much warmer than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Alesund. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bali usually receives less rain than Alesund. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Alesund. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Bali is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Bali