A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porvoo vs. Alesund for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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.

Where Should I go: Porvoo or Alesund?

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

Alesund

Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Alesund?

Porvoo has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo or Alesund in the Summer?

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

Porvoo is a little warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, 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 the autumn, Porvoo is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porvoo in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In October, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Alesund. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porvoo or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Porvoo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alesund can be very cold during winter. Porvoo can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Porvoo is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around -6°C (21°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Alesund. 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. Porvoo can be very cold during spring. Porvoo is much colder than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Alesund. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Porvoo