A Travel Price Comparison for Norway Bergen vs. Alesund for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Bergen or Alesund?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Alesund? 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.

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.

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.

Bergen and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Bergen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain 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.

How is Bergen different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bergen or Alesund.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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.

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

Alesund 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 Alesund is an experience not to be missed. 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.

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.

Is Bergen or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Bergen and Alesund.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

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 Bergen or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bergen to see the historical old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Alesund?

Bergen 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.

Bergen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

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 Bergen or Alesund Better for Families?

Bergen 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.

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.

Alesund is a family-friendly city. 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 Bergen or Alesund Better for Couples?

Bergen is a well-known place for romance. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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 Bergen or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other 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 Bergen or Alesund Better for Students?

Bergen and Alesund are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Bergen is a good city to visit for students. 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.

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

Bergen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Bergen can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

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

Is Bergen or Alesund a more walkable city?

Bergen 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.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Alesund?

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

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

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

One day in Bergen or Alesund?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alesund. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bergen or Alesund?

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.

Alesund 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.

Five days in Bergen or Alesund?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. 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.

A week in Bergen or Alesund?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Alesund. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Norway, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Bergen and Alesund, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Alesund?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Bergen 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 Bergen 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 Bergen or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

In the summer, Bergen is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bergen in July average around 15°C (58°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In July, Bergen usually receives more rain than Alesund. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bergen or Alesund in the Autumn?

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

In October, Bergen is generally around the same temperature as Alesund. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 9°C (48°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in October than Alesund. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Alesund. Many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. Bergen is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bergen usually receives more rain than Alesund. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bergen or Alesund in the Spring?

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

Alesund can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Bergen is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bergen in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bergen usually gets more rain in April than Alesund. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Bergen