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

Should you visit Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and food.

Alesund

Alesund is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Kaunas, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights. Alesund is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. Also, Alesund is famous for the Art Nouveau Center. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alesund is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas 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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Alesund is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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 Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Alesund.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

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 Kaunas or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Kaunas to see the historical old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Alesund?

Alesund is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Alesund are notable family-friendly destinations.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

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 Kaunas or Alesund Better for Couples?

Alesund is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Alesund is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

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 Kaunas or Alesund Better for Students?

Kaunas and Alesund are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international 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.

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

Both Kaunas and Alesund offer notable public transit options.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

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

Is Kaunas or Alesund a more walkable city?

Kaunas and Alesund both are notable when exploring on foot.

Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alesund than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

One day in Kaunas or Alesund?

In Kaunas, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Kaunas or Alesund?

In Kaunas, you'll find food and nightlife. 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Alesund?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaunas. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Kaunas. 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 friendly 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 The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas and Alesund, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Alesund?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kaunas is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In July, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, 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, Kaunas is generally cooler than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Alesund. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alesund can be very cold during winter. Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. Kaunas is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Alesund. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Alesund. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, 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, Kaunas is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Kaunas