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

Should you visit Mainz or Alesund?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and Alesund can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Mainz and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alesund. Although Mainz and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Alesund has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alesund is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Mainz is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Alesund and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. 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 Mainz different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Mainz or Alesund.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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 Mainz or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Mainz and Alesund.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Alesund is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Mainz 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 Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Alesund?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Mainz and Alesund.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Alesund offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Is Mainz or Alesund Better for Families?

Alesund is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Mainz or Alesund Better for Couples?

Mainz 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.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

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 Mainz or Alesund Better for Students?

Mainz is a well-known place for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Mainz is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Mainz 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 Mainz can move around easily with public transportation. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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

Is Mainz or Alesund a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Alesund?

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

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

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

One day in Mainz or Alesund?

In Mainz, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Alesund, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid back destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Mainz or Alesund?

In Mainz, 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 Mainz has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Mainz or Alesund?

Mainz 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alesund. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Alesund?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the welcoming destination of Alesund. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Mainz and Alesund, we can see that Mainz 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 Mainz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mainz 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 Mainz Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Alesund?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Mainz 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 Mainz 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 Mainz or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Alesund. Many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Alesund in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Mainz is much warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Mainz usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Mainz is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Alesund. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Mainz during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alesund because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Mainz can be very cold during winter. In January, Mainz is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Alesund. The spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

It's quite cold in Alesund in the spring. Mainz is much warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Mainz usually receives less rain than Alesund. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Mainz