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

Should you visit Geneva or Alesund?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Alesund. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Alesund is popular for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Geneva different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Geneva 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.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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 Geneva or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Alesund can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Alesund has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Alesund has a few options to choose from. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

Is Geneva or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Geneva to see the historical old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Alesund?

Geneva is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

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 Geneva or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Alesund are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Alesund offers lots of family activities. 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 Geneva or Alesund Better for Couples?

Geneva and Alesund both good destinations for a couple.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

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 Geneva or Alesund Better for Students?

Geneva 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.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

Geneva is a world-class destination 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.

With a huge network, the transit system in Geneva can get you around easily. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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

Is Geneva or Alesund a more walkable city?

Geneva 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.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Alesund?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 Geneva or Alesund?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva 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 Geneva or Alesund?

Geneva 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 Geneva or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 laid back 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Alesund?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Alesund. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is much warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Alesund. Geneva 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 Geneva or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Alesund. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Geneva is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alesund can be very cold during winter. Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Alesund. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Alesund because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Geneva is much warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Geneva usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Geneva