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

Should you visit Riga or Alesund?

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

Should I visit Riga or Alesund? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Riga

Riga is a vibrant, fun, and high energy 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 laid back, welcoming, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Alesund?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Riga. Although Riga and Alesund are popular destinations, Riga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alesund is more touristy than Riga and is known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. Riga is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also well known for Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Riga 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.

Riga offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.

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 Riga or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Riga and Alesund offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

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.

Is Riga or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Riga 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 Riga just to party. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

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 Riga or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Riga 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 Riga. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Alesund?

Riga 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.

Riga is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

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 Riga or Alesund Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Alesund.

Riga is a family-friendly place to visit. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

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 Riga or Alesund Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Alesund make for a nice place to visit.

Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

Alesund is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Riga or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Riga is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

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 Riga or Alesund Better for Students?

Riga 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.

Riga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.

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

Riga 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 Riga can move around easily with public transportation. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

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

Is Riga or Alesund a more walkable city?

Riga 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.

Riga is very walkable. The city is small enough that most areas can be 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 Riga Worth Visiting? and Is Alesund Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Riga?

How long in Riga or Alesund?

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

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

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

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

One day in Riga or Alesund?

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

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 Riga or Alesund?

In Riga, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Riga 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 Riga or Alesund?

Riga 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic 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 Riga or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Riga. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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.

The laid back 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 Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Alesund, we can see that Riga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Riga or Alesund?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga 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 Riga or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

In July, Riga is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Alesund. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Riga is cooler than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Alesund. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Alesund. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Alesund. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Alesund can be very cold during spring. In April, Riga is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Riga