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

Should you visit Tampere or Alesund?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Alesund?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Tampere and Alesund, we can see that Tampere 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Alesund?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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 Tampere 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 Tampere or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Tampere during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tampere is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 16°C (61°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Tampere usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alesund. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Alesund. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

Tampere is much colder than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 5°C (42°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tampere usually receives less rain than Alesund. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampere or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Alesund. Additionally, many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. In the winter, Tampere is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampere in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. In April, Tampere is generally cooler than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 3°C (38°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Tampere usually receives less rain than Alesund. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Tampere