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

Should you visit Munich or Alesund?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich 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.

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Munich and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Munich than Alesund, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Munich is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Alesund is more popular for its impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Also, Munich is famous for The Nymphenburg Palace. Alesund is well known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Munich different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Munich 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.

Munich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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 Munich or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Munich and Alesund offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Munich or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Munich is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Munich just to party. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich or Alesund Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for live music. However, Alesund is not a live music destination.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Alesund is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Alesund?

Munich is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich or Alesund Better for Families?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich or Alesund Better for Couples?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich or Alesund Better for Students?

Munich is a world-class destination for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great 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 Munich or Alesund Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is a world-class destination 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.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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

Is Munich or Alesund a more walkable city?

Munich is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Munich?

How long in Munich or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Munich or Alesund?

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Munich or Alesund?

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Munich 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 Munich or Alesund?

Munich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Munich has to offer. 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 Munich or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Munich. 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 welcoming 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking 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 Munich and Alesund, we can see that Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Alesund?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Alesund. Many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Munich is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Munich in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In July, Munich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Munich 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 Munich or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Munich as well as Alesund. Most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Munich is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (52°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Munich usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Munich 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 Munich or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

It's quite cold in Alesund in the winter. The weather in Munich can be very cold. Munich is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Munich averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Alesund. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Munich during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. In the spring, Munich is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Munich in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Munich