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

Should you visit Tartu or Alesund?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Alesund can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife.

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.

Tartu and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alesund than Tartu, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alesund is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights. Alesund is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. Also, Alesund is famous for the Art Nouveau Center. Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alesund is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Alesund is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Tartu offers plenty to do in the evening. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Tartu 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 Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Alesund?

Alesund is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Alesund are notable to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

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 Tartu or Alesund Better for Couples?

Alesund is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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 Tartu or Alesund Better for Students?

Tartu is a world-class destination for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

Tartu and Alesund both offer notable public transit to get you around.

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

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

Is Tartu or Alesund a more walkable city?

Tartu 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.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Alesund. In our opinion, Tartu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tartu than Alesund. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

One day in Tartu or Alesund?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Alesund, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Alesund?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tartu has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Alesund?

Tartu 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.

Alesund is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alesund. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. Many people enjoy the nightlife when visiting Tartu. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Alesund. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Alesund?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Alesund. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Tartu is generally cooler than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Alesund. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Alesund. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alesund because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during winter. Tartu is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

It's quite cold in Alesund in the spring. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In the spring, Tartu is around the same temperature as Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Alesund. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Tartu