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

Should you visit Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. 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.

Lucerne and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lucerne than Alesund, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lucerne is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Alesund is more popular for its food. Lucerne is more touristy than Alesund and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge. Alesund is well known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

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 Lucerne or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alesund is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Alesund has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Lucerne or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

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 Lucerne or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Alesund?

Lucerne is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

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 Lucerne or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Alesund are notable family-friendly destinations.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

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 Lucerne or Alesund Better for Couples?

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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 Lucerne or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

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.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

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

Lucerne and Alesund both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Lucerne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

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

Is Lucerne or Alesund a more walkable city?

Lucerne and Alesund are notable when it comes to walkability.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable city. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Alesund?

In Lucerne, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

In Alesund, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Lucerne or Alesund?

In Lucerne, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Lucerne has to offer.

In Alesund, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Alesund has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Alesund?

Lucerne 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 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.

A week in Lucerne or Alesund?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alesund. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 Lucerne and Alesund, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Alesund?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Alesund in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Lucerne is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alesund. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Alesund. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Alesund. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Alesund. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alesund can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. Lucerne is a little warmer than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Lucerne usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and 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, Lucerne is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In April, Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Lucerne 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 Lucerne