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

Should you visit Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Alesund

Alesund is a scenic, laid back, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Heidelberg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Heidelberg is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Alesund and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. 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 Heidelberg different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alesund is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alesund. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Alesund can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Alesund makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Heidelberg or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Heidelberg is revered around the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Alesund?

If you're looking to go shopping, Heidelberg and Alesund both offer plenty of notable spots.

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Alesund is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Is Heidelberg or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Alesund are notable family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Alesund is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Heidelberg or Alesund Better for Couples?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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 Heidelberg or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places 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 Heidelberg or Alesund Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Alesund are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Alesund is a good town 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.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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

Is Heidelberg or Alesund a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Heidelberg or Alesund?

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming city of Alesund, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Alesund?

In Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Heidelberg has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Alesund, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Alesund?

Heidelberg 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Alesund?

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

Alesund is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Alesund?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Heidelberg is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heidelberg in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Alesund. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for 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 October, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 12°C (54°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Alesund. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for 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. Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, 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. In the spring, Heidelberg is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heidelberg in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Heidelberg