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

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Zurich and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Alesund?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich. Although Zurich and Alesund are popular destinations, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Alesund attracts visitors for its big city activities. Zurich is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster. Alesund is famous for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Zurich different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich 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.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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 Zurich or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Zurich and Alesund offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Zurich 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.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Music?

Zurich is a well-known place for live music. However, Alesund is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich is very popular with diverse venues. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Alesund is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Zurich is revered around the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Alesund?

Zurich is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Zurich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Families?

Zurich is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Couples?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

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 Zurich or Alesund Better for Students?

Zurich 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 Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can move around easily with public transportation. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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

Is Zurich or Alesund a more walkable city?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is very walkable. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zurich and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than in Alesund. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

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

One day in Zurich or Alesund?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alesund. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Alesund?

In Zurich, you'll find museums and 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. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer.

Alesund is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Alesund?

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Zurich. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Alesund. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Alesund?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zurich is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Alesund in the Autumn?

Both Alesund and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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.

Zurich is a little warmer than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Alesund. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zurich usually receives less rain than Alesund. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Alesund in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Alesund. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. 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. In April, Zurich is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Alesund. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Zurich