About Ålesund

Stay for – 1 or 2 nights.

Is it worth a stop? – From Ålesund it’s just a short drive to the most spectacular fjords. If you’re heading to either Geirangerfjord or Trollstigen, it’s worth a stop for one night. One whole day can be enough time as the town is quite small.

Did you know? – The nearby village of Alnes was once an important fishing village in this region.

Local’s Tip – “Get to the Aksla Viewpoint for sunset for a breathtaking view.”

Things To Do in Ålesund

Travel to the west coast of Norway and you’ll find Ålesund, the gateway to Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s most beautiful spots. Ålesund has mountains and fjords and attracts tourists to its appealing port town.

As well as seeing the fjords it is also a good destination for getting active. If you visit from February to June you can take advantage of the skiing season. Visit any other time of the year and you can kayak or sail to your heart’s content, or go hiking in the Sunnmore Alps, some of the country’s best mountain walks.

If you like wildlife, the bird island of Runde has the biggest variety of sea birds within Scandinavia. You can see puffins, gannets and other sea birds here, plus the island is also attractive to divers, fishermen and hikers.

Ålesund is spread out across several islands, with fishing as its main industry. Known as the Art Nouveau town, the city was rebuilt in the early 20th Century after a fire destroyed most of the city centre transforming it into a picturesque Norwegian town with Art Nouveau architecture. This beautiful town is the region’s cultural centre and has great views, restaurants and architecture. It’s really pretty at night too, just bring your rain jacket with you as the weather is very changeable.

Sightseeing

Get a great view at:

One of the things to do in Alesund for a great view is head to the Aksla Viewpoint. From here you can see an amazing panorama of the archipelago and the Sunnmore Alps. Take the train up to Fjellstua which is at the top or if you’re feeling active, walk up the steps from the town park (there are 418 to climb).

Visit the:

Alnes Lighthouse is just outside of Ålesund (about 30 minutes away). Built in 1937, this red and white lighthouse has a small museum inside and a nice coffee shop where you’ll find exhibitions of local artists. The tower is open from May to October.

Stroll along at: The region is famous for the Sunnmore Alps with its stunning mountain, fjord and coastal walks.

Meet others: By taking a fjord cruise. Meet others on a boat cruise to Hjorundfjord which also includes lunch at a hotel.

Do the touristy thing:

The Atlantic Sea Park. This is one of Ålesund’s biggest attractions and isn’t a traditional aquarium. Instead, it’s built into the coastal landscape and shows the life in the sea on the Norwegian coast. If you want to be really touristy, watch the diver hand-feed the fish that takes place every day.

Explore the: Hjørundfjordand, one of the longest fjords in Norway, or the Sunnmørsalpene, a mountain range in the Sunnmøre region, known for ski touring.

Accommodation in Ålesund

Stay at

Ålesund Hostel – This hostel is minutes walk to the town’s main street and bus terminal. The rooms are clean with comfortable beds and each room has a flat-screen TV and private bathroom whether you decide to stay in a female dorm or single room. Take advantage of the free breakfast buffet too. Prices start from £35 for a 4-bed female dorm. * Check availability

* Check prices and availability for all accommodation in Alesund

Where to Eat

Eat at:

Lyst – You’ll find this cosy restaurant in the city centre serving Norwegian, Scandinavian, and International cuisine. The menu is really varied and is a great choice for lunch but it can get busy during the summer months so make a reservation if you can. Find at Kongens gate 12.

Enjoy a coffee and cake at:

Racoon Coffee & More – where you can also buy a simple lunch in nice surroundings to accompany your Americano.

Getting Around Ålesund

It is easy to get around as everywhere is within walking distance. There are plenty of bus services if you prefer to take local transport instead. If you rent or have a car for Norway, you can drive to some of the beautiful neighbouring towns.

From the Airport

Ålesund has its own airport which is 25 minutes from the city. There is an airport bus service from here to the city centre or you can take a taxi which takes 15 minutes. Click here for the bus schedule.

Travelling Onwards

There are several fjord trips from here too or you can just go one-way and travel to another part of Norway for your ongoing trip. If this is your last stop in Norway and you need to get back to Oslo, you can either fly or take a night bus (which takes 12 hours). Check your onward trip with Rome2Rio.

Have you been to Ålesund? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.