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

Should you visit Dresden or Alesund?

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

Should I visit Dresden 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dresden than Alesund, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dresden is better known for its nightlife and historical sights, while Alesund is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Alesund is well known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Dresden different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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 Dresden or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alesund is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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 Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Dresden or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Dresden 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.

Dresden offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

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 Dresden or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Dresden 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 Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Alesund?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Alesund and Dresden.

Many visitors go to Dresden to go shopping. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Alesund. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Is Dresden or Alesund Better for Families?

Alesund is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Alesund. 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.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Dresden or Alesund Better for Couples?

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

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

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.

Is Dresden or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

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 Dresden or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is a popular place for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Alesund is popular with 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.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden 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 Dresden and Alesund.

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines 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 Dresden or Alesund a more walkable city?

Dresden 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.

Dresden is very walkable. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Alesund?

In Dresden, 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.

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 Dresden or Alesund?

In Dresden, 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 Dresden 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 Dresden or Alesund?

Dresden 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.

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 Dresden or Alesund?

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

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 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 Dresden and Alesund, we can see that Dresden 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden 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 Dresden Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Alesund?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Dresden 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 Dresden 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 Dresden or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Alesund. The summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities 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, Dresden is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives less rain than Alesund. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Alesund. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden 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 October, Dresden is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dresden 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 Dresden. Dresden is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Alesund. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, 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, Dresden is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Dresden