I love spending time in Ålesund! It has so much to offer in terms of things to do, and is also located nearby some of the greatest sights in Norway, such as the Geirangerfjord & Hjørundfjord, the Atlantic Ocean Road, the Trollstigen scenic road and much more.

After Oslo and Bergen, I would say Ålesund is on my top 3 list of must-see-cities in Norway. In this article I’ll explain why, providing you with a guide for where to stay, places to eat, activities and some ideas for day-trips in the surrounding area.

However, if you need assistance for planning your upcoming trip to Norway, contact me for tailor-made Tour Planning. I’d be happy to help!

 

How to get to Ålesund?

Ålesund is well connected with the rest of Norway, and I’d say it’s quite easy to get there no matter where you are in the country. Depending on your travel preference you can choose between, driving there with a rental car, flying to Ålesund Vigra Airport, arrving with a ferry or with a bus.

 

Flights to Ålesund

For domestic flights in Norway you can fly direct to Ålesund from Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen. Depending on the time of year, for international flights you can connect to Ålesund via Amsterdam, Gdansk, Alicante, Copenhagen and London Gatwick.

The Ålesund Vigra Airport is quite small, and easy to navigate. There’s an airport bus waiting on the outside, or you can order an Uber for more convenience.

👉 Look for flights to Ålesund here.

 

Bus and Train to Ålesund

There are no trains going to Ålesund, but many will travel with the train from Trondheim or Oslo to Åndalsnes, and connect with a bus to Ålesund from there. It’s a scenic journey that can be done in one long day. You can find train tickets at VY & look for bus schedules at ENTUR.

There are buses connecting Bergen with Ålesund, but keep in mind that this is a fairly long bus ride, starting from 8.5 hours and more. You might want to look into the Geirangerfjord in a Nutshell Tour. This popular tour use both a coastal ferry and buses to get from Bergen to Ålesund, and also includes the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord.

 

Ferry to Ålesund

Ålesund is a coastal town, and is well connected from the sea thanks to the Hurtigruten and Havila ferries. These small cruise ships/ferries runs on an almost daily basis along the coast of Norway, making stops in both smaller villages and larger towns. From Bergen to Ålesund is just an overnight in a comfortable cabin, and you’ll wake up in “the Art Nouveau town” the next day.

 

Driving to Ålesund

No matter which direction you come from, driving into Ålesund is guaranteed to be a scenic experience. Note that you might have to take public ferries to cross fjords. These do not have to be booked in advance, you simply just show up at the docks and line up.

If you come from Trondheim you might want to drive via the Atlantic Ocean Road, to the city of Molde, ferry across the fjord and then into Ålesund from there. Or if you come from Oslo you’ll drive the E6 to Dombås, and then along the Rauma river, and if you have time you can detour to see the Trollstigen scenic road. From Bergen you’ll drive north on E39 and pass by glaciers, mountains, fjords and cute villages. Keep in mind that roads can be narrow and windy, and driving can take a bit more time than you initially planned for.

Also, you want plenty of time to make photos stops to capture the amazing landscape!

Find the best rental car rates at Booking.com

 

Places to stay

Downtown Ålesund is small, and activities in the town center are all within walking distance. In other words, the location is therefor not so important, unless you want to stay in a hotel with a seafront view.

There’s a few nice hotels to choose from, and I find Ålesund to be a good mix of both chain hotels and historical hotels. Here’s a few of my recommendations.

 

High-End Hotels

Ålesund, while known for its Art Nouveau architecture and stunning natural setting, has a more limited selection of traditional “high-end” luxury hotels compared to larger cities.

 

Hotel 1904

One of my favourite hotels in Ålesund is the Hotel 1904, located in an Art Nouveau building, and actually the first hotel to open after the city fire in 1904. Each room at Hotel 1904 is uniquely designed, and  the hotel feels modern, yet historical. It’s situated in a prime location in the city center, making it convenient for exploring Ålesund’s attractions, shops, and restaurants. The breakfast is one of the better I’ve had in Norway, and there’s even an espresso bar with a barista getting that café latte ready for you in the morning. In the same space, The Green Garden Restaurant, serves lunch and dinner  from a menu based on seasonal ingredients, often sourced locally.

👉 Book your stay at Hotel 1904

 

 

Hotel Brosundet

This is perhaps the most luxurious hotel in Ålesund,  and is located in a beautifully restored warehouse on the waterfront. I would describe the rooms as upscale, rustic-chic, and they offer Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars, plus tea and coffeemakers. Suites add sitting areas, daybeds or dining tables, and for a unique experience enquire about the suite set in a 150-year old lighthouse. While at Brosundet relax at their gym & wellness facility, or enjoy a drink or a meal in their high-end seafood restaurant or rustique bar.

👉 Book your stay at Brosundet.

 

Mid-Range Hotels

Ålesund has a range of chain hotels, which are all centrally located, serve good breakfast, comfortable rooms, and some with waterfront views. My go to hotels for a mid-range price level is either Thon Hotel Ålesund or Quality Hotel Ålesund. I’d pick the one with the best rates for your travel days, as they are both equally good.

 

 

Things to do

You’ll find something to do for everyone in Ålesund! Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a watersport enthusiast, a history buff, museum-goer, architecture enthusiast or nature lover, Ålesund got you covered. I won’t mention them all, as you can find many in my Ålesund City Guide, but here are a few of my favorites below.

 

Aksla

Hiking up the city mountain of Aksla is perhaps one of the most popular things to do. It’s a relatively easy climb starting inside the city park. To get to the top are 418 steps, but don’t worry, there are several benches and viewpoints to stop and take a breath and enjoy the views along the way. You’ll see a mix of locals enjoying their daily workout, and travelers heading to the top for the amazing vistas. To the west is the ocean, and to the south are the majestic Sunnmøre Alps.

 

 

Art Nouveau Architecture

Ålesund is renowned for its remarkable Art Nouveau architecture. The explanation for this is pretty simple: it burned down in 1904, pretty much to the ground, and was quickly rebuilt in what is also know as Jugend style architecture.

Thanks to this you find beautifully decorated buildings all over town. Typical for this architectural style are rounded corners, square or rounded windows, slate on the roofs and some towers and wrought iron railings. You also find different types of ornaments, depending on where the different architects had had their eductions. For instance would a Scottish architect put the thistle, the national plant of Scotland, on the buildings.

It’s a real treasure hunt to walk around discovering all the beautiful details. 

 

The Jugendstil Center

The Jugendstilsenteret (Art Nouveau Centre) in Ålesund is a museum and national center dedicated to the Art Nouveau style, located in the beautifully preserved former Swan Pharmacy. It offers a unique window into the architectural rebirth of Ålesund after the devastating 1904 fire, which led to the city’s reconstruction in this distinctive style.

It is combined with the Art museum KUBE, so you get to experience both Art Nouveau history, and modern and contemporary art, in one visit.

 

Join a tour with a local guide

To hear personal stories and learn in-depth about Ålesund’s history, the city fire, the architecture and much more, I recommend hiring a guide to take you around. Last time I visited I got in touch with  the Ålesund Guide Association which has a collection of knowledgable licensed guides, and I spent an enjoyable morning strolling around town with one of them. 

Note that from mid-June-mid-Aug the Guide Association has a daily tour at 12:00pm departing from in front of the Ålesund Tourist Information Office down in the harbor (duration 90 min, NOK 250, children under 12 free).

Brosundet

Bro means bridge, and sund means strait in Norwegian, so the “strait with the bridge”. And there is indeed a bridge going over the strait. Overlooking Brosundet you can get some beautiful images of the water, reflecting the iconic Art Nouveau architecture that lines its banks. This is for sure a must-visit spot of Ålesund, but as it is located right downtown it’s almost impossible to miss.

 

 

Kayaking & Sauna

With the Brosundet canal flowing straight through town, the islands on the north side, and the Sunnmøre alps on the south side, Ålesund is the perfect town for a kayaking adventure. Last time I visited I even combined it with a sauna session as the end. Despite being late January I jumped into the sea, and combined with the steaming hot sauna this is a pretty nice activity, which can be fun for a couple, friends or a family.

The Kayaks we used felt very stable, and we were equipped with semi-dry suites and life vests. We got a crash course from the instructor, and I think as long as you are not afraid of water and have a fairly good balance you’ll fully enjoy this tour.

👉 Book a kayaking tour with sauna in Ålesund (nov-april) For more info about kayaking read my Ultimate Guide to Kayaking in Ålesund.

 

 

The Fisheries Museum

You find the Fisheries Museum in Ålesund in the old Oluf Holm building from 1861, one of the few building that escaped the city fire in 1904. It’s been used as a warehouse from both cod liver oil the processing of klippfish (bacalao or stockfish), which is the traditional means of cutting, salting and drying cod for export to southern Europe. 

The Fisheries Museum in Ålesund gives a glimpse into the rich maritime history and fishing traditions that shaped the town and the wider region. There is a diverse collection of artifacts, including historical fishing gear, model ships, and interactive exhibits that illustrate the challenges and triumphs of the fishing industry.

You’ll learn about the importance of cod, herring, and other species to the local economy, and how innovations in technology transformed fishing practices. The museum also delves into the lives of the fishermen and their families, providing a personal perspective on the often-harsh realities of life at sea. Read more on their website.

 

 

Atlantic Sea Park

At the Sea Park you find one of the largest and most unique salt water aquariums in Northern Europe, and this is actually one of the leading tourist attractions in the area. It’s a great place to learn about the marine life of the Norwegian coast and the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors here can learn about salmon and sea trout aquaculture, get up close with marine life, and watch daily fish and seal-feedings. The Atlantic Sea Park is located about 3km (1.8 miles) to the west of the city center. It’s actually a nice stroll walking out there, but here is also a #1 bus from downtown Ålesund in the direction of Hessa. The closest stop to the park is called Tuenesvegen. From there is a 10-15 minute stroll. See Frammr.no for bus times and head to the Atlantic Sea Park website for more information.

 

 

 

Day-trips from Ålesund

With so many great destination nearby, I’d recommend setting aside one full day for a day-trip. Here are some of my top choices, but there are many more. If you need assistance for planning your upcoming trip to Norway and Ålesund, contact me for tailor-made Tour Planning.

 

 

Geiranger Fjord Cruise

The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s two UNESCO-listed fjords (the Sognefjord being the other one), and if you want to witness one of those “postcard fjords” you might have seen online, then Geiranger is a great choice. The easy way to get there is to join a fjord cruise. I can recommend this summer cruise (apr-oct), or enjoy this winter cruise (nov-march). They are both round-trip tours, so you’ll get back to Ålesund in the late afternoon.

 

The Atlantic Ocean Road

Known as one of the most scenic roads in the world, it offers breathtaking views, and you might want to head this way if you have a rental car. You should plan for a full day, and stop to enjoy sights along the way. Personally I enjoy it the most when it’s a bit windy outside, and the waves are crashing over the road. A few great stops include the fjord city of Molde, the fishing village of Bud, the Farstandsanden beach, which is a nature reserve, and if you have the time drive all the way to see the Kvernes Stave Church.

Find more points of interest at the official Atlantic Ocean Road website, and I invite you to come drive the road with me on YouTube.

 

 

The Trollstigen Road

Trollstigen (troll’s ladder) is a serpentine mountain road, and one of the most famous ones in Norway. It has eleven dramatic hairpin bends that climb a steep mountainside. It provides breathtaking views of deep valleys, towering peaks, and the impressive Stigfossen waterfall.

At the top is a visitor center with a cafe, and you can hike out to various viewpoints, suitable for both the bold and the cautious visitor. A nice idea can be to combine the visit to Trollstigen with a drive to Geiranger through UNESCO Fjord landscape. Once in Geiranger you can hop on a car ferry (reserve in advance) that will take you on a scenic fjord cruise, ending in the village of Hellesylt, and you can return to Ålesund from there. 

Drive the Trollstigen road with me on YouTube.

👉  For car rental in Norway check out Booking.com for some of the best rates, or Cabin Campers if you are looking to rent a camper van.

 

Godøya Island Trip & Mountain Hike

If you are looking for an island trip and scenic hike nearby Ålesund I recommend heading to the Godøya island. There is a bus #32 running there which takes about 40 minutes from downtown Ålesund. You can get off at Alnes, where you can also visit the Alnes lighthouse, café and art exhibition. With some luck, you might get to see surfers taking up the challenge of the waves by the beach. Find bus route info on Frammr.

For a fantastic walk hike up to Storhornet. There are plenty of trails to choose from, and you can easily do it on your own if you are a fairly experienced hiker, or join a tour with Uteguiden. Read more about the hike here.

 

 

Restaurants and cafés

Ålesund’s food scene is is best described as a delightful mix of fresh seafood and modern culinary innovation. The city has a growing number of eateries focusing on Norwegian cuisine, highlighting regional ingredients and traditional flavors.

In my opinion, Ålesund is a surprisingly vibrant destination for food lovers! Here’s a few places I’d recommend you to check out.

 

 

• XL Diner
  • Great location overlooking the waterfront
  • Specialize on traditional klippfisk (dried salted cod fish)
• Apoterkergata 5
  • Situated in an old warehouse overlooking Brosundet
  • Restaurant, coffee shop and a bar
  • Cozy restaurant, considered one of the best in Ålesund
• Molo Brew
  • Good craft beers and tasty burgers! What more can one wish for?
• The Green Garden Restaurant
  • Great for lunch
  • Seasonal dishes in the evening
  • I recommend their 3-course menu with wine package (you won’t regret it!)
• Storfjord Ice Cream
  • The stars here are the brown cheese ice cream and brown cheese cake
  • Don’t leave Ålesund without a visit to this local gem!
• Racoon Coffee
  • My go to coffee place in Ålesund
  • Also a tasty seleciont of baked treats, toast, sandwiches, salads and wraps
  • Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea

 

Well there you have it: A travel guide to Ålesund, and I hope this article helps you plan your stay, and gives some inspiration! Want to see and learn more? Check out my YouTube-episode: How to spend 48 hours in Ålesund.

 

Get in touch if you have any questions, and please share with anyone you might think be interested.