A Travel Price Comparison for Norway Lillehammer vs. Alesund for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Lillehammer or Alesund?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lillehammer or Alesund, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a sporty, natural, and adventure-filled city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

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.

Lillehammer and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lillehammer or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alesund. Although Lillehammer and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Alesund has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alesund is more popular for its big city activities and impressive beauty, while Lillehammer is known for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm. Lillehammer is popular for its winter sports and role as host for the 1994 Winter Olympics. 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 Lillehammer different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Skiing?

Lillehammer is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Alesund is not a skiing destination.

Lillehammer is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. There is both downhill skiing and cross country skiing in the area. There are five alpine centers that offer skiing for everyone from beginners to the world's elite. There are also 2,300 kilometers of cross country ski trails. The region is known for its long and reliable winter with great ski conditions.

Alesund is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Lillehammer and Alesund have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Lillehammer is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of sights that are related to the city's role as host of the 1994 Olympics. Check out the Norwegian Olympic Museum, Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena, and the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. Also make sure you visit the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lillehammer and Alesund both to be very good destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lillehammer makes for a great culinary experience. Local food traditions date back centuries and you'll find a combination of simple recipes and elaborate menus. Dishes often include fish or local meat such as elk. There are also soups such as kål, which are made with bacon, meat, potatoes, and barley.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Lillehammer and Alesund.

Lillehammer has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There is a lively atmosphere with many bars, clubs, and pubs around town.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Hiking?

Lillehammer is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Lillehammer is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find many hikes that take you through the alpine setting and the pristine landscapes. You can enjoy breathtaking views and strolls through nearby national parks.

Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lillehammer or Alesund?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Alesund and Lillehammer.

Lillehammer is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a number of shopping centers that have retail stores selling clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Families?

Lillehammer is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lillehammer is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has many winter and adventure sports that are great for the whole family. You can visit the Olympic Park, or spend the day at Hunderfossen Familiepark, which is one of the original amusement parks in the country. You can also visit Jorekstad Waterpark, go hiking in the summer, or skiing in the winter.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Couples?

Lillehammer 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.

Lillehammer is a very popular place to visit for couples. The skiing and other winter activities are great for winter sport enthusiasts. During the summer months there's hiking and other outdoor fun.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lillehammer. There's some camping and other affordable accommodation for backpackers in the area.

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 Lillehammer or Alesund Better for Students?

Lillehammer and Alesund are good places to visit for students.

Lillehammer is popular with students. The city has a number of students and offers some great entertainment activities. The cost of living can be high though.

It's common for students to 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 Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer and Alesund.

You'll find some public transit in Lillehammer, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains and buses throughout the region.

While Alesund offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a public bus system around town.

Is Lillehammer or Alesund a more walkable city?

Lillehammer and Alesund both are good when exploring on foot.

Lillehammer is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian streets and pedestrian-friendly areas in town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Lillehammer?

How long in Lillehammer or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lillehammer and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lillehammer than in Alesund. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lillehammer, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

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

One day in Lillehammer or Alesund?

In Lillehammer, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Alesund. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Lillehammer or Alesund?

In Lillehammer, you'll find museums 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lillehammer has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Alesund. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Lillehammer or Alesund?

Lillehammer is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

The laid back city of Alesund offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Lillehammer or Alesund?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alesund. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best Luxury Tours to Norway, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Lillehammer and Alesund, we can see that Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lillehammer or Alesund?

Alesund has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lillehammer. When comparing the sizes of Lillehammer 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.