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

Should you visit Interlaken or Alesund?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Alesund

Alesund is a welcoming, friendly, and scenic 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alesund. Although Interlaken and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Alesund has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alesund is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Alesund and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. 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 Interlaken different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Alesund Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Alesund is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Alesund is not a skiing destination.

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

Alesund is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Alesund both to be great destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Interlaken or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Alesund is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Alesund Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Alesund is not a hiking destination.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Alesund?

Alesund is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Alesund Better for Families?

Interlaken 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, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

Alesund is a family-friendly town. 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 Interlaken or Alesund Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Interlaken makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

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 Interlaken or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

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.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken can move around easily with public transportation. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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

Is Interlaken or Alesund a more walkable city?

Interlaken and Alesund are good when it comes to walkability.

Interlaken is somewhat walkable. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Interlaken and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than in Alesund. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Alesund?

In Interlaken, you'll find skiing and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly 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 Interlaken or Alesund?

In Interlaken, you'll find food and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Alesund?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken has to offer. 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 Interlaken or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Interlaken. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Alesund?

Alesund has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Alesund. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Interlaken is much warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alesund. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

In the autumn, Interlaken is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Alesund. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. In January, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Interlaken usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Alesund. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. Interlaken is much warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Interlaken