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

Should you visit Bonn or Alesund?

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

Should I visit Bonn 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.

Bonn

Bonn is a lively, cultural, and beautiful city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund

Alesund is a scenic, laid back, and welcoming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alesund. Although Bonn and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Alesund has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alesund is more popular for its food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. 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 Bonn different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bonn is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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 Bonn or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alesund is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Alesund. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Bonn or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Bonn and Alesund.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alesund. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

Is Bonn or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Bonn 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 Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Alesund?

Bonn 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.

Bonn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores 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 Bonn or Alesund Better for Families?

Bonn is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn or Alesund Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Alesund make for a good place to visit.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

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 Bonn or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

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 Bonn or Alesund Better for Students?

Bonn is a well-known place for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

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

Bonn 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 Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

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

Is Bonn or Alesund a more walkable city?

Bonn 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.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy 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 Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Alesund Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bonn or Alesund?

In Bonn, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

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 Bonn or Alesund?

In Bonn, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer.

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 Bonn or Alesund?

Bonn 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.

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 Bonn or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. 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.

The scenic 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Alesund?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn or Alesund?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bonn or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

Bonn is much warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Bonn usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Alesund. The shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bonn is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Alesund. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Alesund. Many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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 Bonn. In January, Bonn is generally around the same temperature as Alesund. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, 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. Bonn is much warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Alesund. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Bonn