A Travel Price Comparison for Norway Oslo vs. Alesund for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Oslo or Alesund?

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

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

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Alesund

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

Oslo and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Alesund?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo. Although Oslo and Alesund are both popular with visitors, Oslo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oslo is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Alesund is known for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also home to The Royal Palace. Alesund is popular for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Oslo different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo 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.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch 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 Oslo or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Alesund makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Oslo or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Oslo and Alesund.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

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 the Shopping Better in Oslo or Alesund?

Alesund is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Alesund is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Alesund Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo or Alesund Better for Couples?

Oslo and Alesund are both good to visit as a couple.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

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 Oslo or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to 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 Oslo or Alesund Better for Students?

Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Oslo 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 Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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

Is Oslo or Alesund a more walkable city?

Oslo 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.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oslo and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than in Alesund. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

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

One day in Oslo or Alesund?

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Alesund. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Oslo or Alesund?

Because Oslo 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 Oslo has to offer.

Alesund is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Oslo or Alesund?

Oslo 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 Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Alesund. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Alesund?

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

The scenic city of Alesund offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oslo and Alesund, we can see that Oslo 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo 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 Oslo Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Alesund?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Oslo 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 Oslo 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 Oslo or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Oslo is a little warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Oslo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Oslo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, 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 the autumn, Oslo is cooler than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oslo in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Oslo usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Alesund. The winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Oslo can be very cold. In January, Oslo is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around -4°C (25°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Alesund. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Alesund. The activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. Oslo is a little warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 6°C (42°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Oslo 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 Oslo