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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Alesund?

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

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

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a traditional, quiet, and calm island. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food and beaches.

Alesund

Alesund is a scenic, laid back, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alesund is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. Also, Alesund is famous for the Art Nouveau Center. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alesund is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alesund. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saaremaa or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Alesund can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Saaremaa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

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.

Is Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Alesund is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Alesund has a few options to choose from. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a popular place for its beaches. However, Alesund is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Alesund is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Alesund?

Alesund is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Alesund has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Alesund are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Alesund is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Couples?

Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa is a very popular place to visit for couples. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

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 Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Saaremaa. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

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 Saaremaa or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Alesund is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Alesund offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a public bus system around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Alesund a more walkable city?

Alesund is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Alesund?

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

Families should spend more time in Alesund than Saaremaa. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alesund than Saaremaa 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 Alesund.

One day in Saaremaa or Alesund?

Saaremaa is a small town with plenty to do. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Alesund offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Alesund?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Saaremaa has to offer.

Alesund is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alesund, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Alesund?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Since Saaremaa is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Alesund is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Saaremaa and Alesund, we can see that Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Alesund?

Alesund has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, 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, Saaremaa is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Alesund. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area 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 October, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Alesund. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Alesund. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Alesund. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Saaremaa can be very cold. Saaremaa is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa 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. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is cooler than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Alesund. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Saaremaa