Cities

Ålesund

From the lively cafés in Ålesund, it’s just 418 steps to the top of Aksla – and what a view! After the fire in 1904 fire, Ålesund was rebuilt in a playful Art Nouveau style, with towers, spires, and colourful facades. No wonder National Geographic has named it one of the world’s most beautiful port cities!

The Art Nouveau town by the sea

In Ålesund, history and the sea go hand in hand. Wander through the winding streets, cross Hellebroa bridge over Brosundet, or visit the Art Nouveau Centre and KUBEto hear the story of the great fire and how the town was rebuilt in its unique style. Just around the corner, the Fisheries Museum lets you dive into Ålesund’s proud fishing heritage.

This is a town that buzzes with energy! Festivals and concerts all year round. And the food scene? Everything from fresh seafood to creative dishes inspired by the coast. When night falls, check into a historic hotel with charm or unwind at a modern design hotel.

Explore Ålesund

Adventure is always close by. Paddle a kayak through Brosundet, zip through the Art Nouveau streets on an e-bike, or join a guided mountain hike with breathtaking views. At Atlanterhavsparken – Aquarium & Marine Science Centre, you can get up close to marine life – watch playful otters and curious seals in their open-air habitats.

No trip to Ålesund is complete without climbing Aksla. At the top, you’ll find a spectacular view – from the peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps to the rugged coastline stretching towards Runde bird island, where the open ocean begins.

From fjord cruises to mountain peaks

Ålesund is the gateway to unforgettable nature experiences. Take a fjord cruise to Geiranger or Hjørundfjord, or head into the Sunnmøre Alps, where both skiers and hikers will find their perfect challenge. Follow the coast to Alnes lighthouse, where the sea meets the sky, or continue to Ona, a charming fishing village where time slows down – but the memories last.

With direct flights to Vigra Airport and daily arrivals from Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages, Ålesund is the perfect starting point for coastal adventures!

Activities and attractions

Utendørs selbasseng med man som forer selene.

Adventure parks and animals

Atlanterhavsparken in Ålesund – aquarium and science centre

Ålesund

See seals, penguins and otters up close, and talk to the diver in Atlanterhavstanken, one of Europe's largest aquarium tanks.

Utsikt mot bygningene KUBE og Jugendstilsenteret i Ålesund bysentrum.

Culture

The Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum KUBE

Ålesund

Jugendstilsenteret is located in the old Swan Pharmacy from 1907 and is both a museum and a national centre of Art Nouveau.

How to get here

Planning your trip to Northwest Norway is straightforward. Explore Ålesund, Geiranger, the Atlantic Road, Trollstigen, Molde, Kristiansund, and many other attractions across Møre og Romsdal. Travel by train to Åndalsnes in the centre of Romsdal, arrive in Kristiansund by high-speed ferry from Trondheim or Smøla, or explore the region at your own pace by coach, car, or plane.

Getting to and around Northwest

Eat and sleep

  • Hotel Brosundet ligger langs vannkanten i Brosundet.

    Accommodation

    Hotel Brosundet

    Ålesund

    Brosundet - where history meets modern comfort.

  • Hotellet med byfjellet Aksla i bakgrunnen.

    Accommodation

    Quality Hotel Ålesund

    Ålesund

    Stay right in the heart of the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, with sea views, sunsets from the terrace, and the city's restaurants and shops close by.

  • Restauranten ligger idyllisk til midt i Brosundet.

    Food and drink

    Restaurant Apotekergata No.5

    Ålesund

    Once a storied warehouse - now a restaurant, cafe, and bar, boasting a charming barge for those balmy days where views and local fare can be savored.

What's on in Ålesund

    Explore our region.

    • Ona & the Northern islands

      Drive the new Nordøyvegen road and explore the string of islands outside Ålesund and Brattvåg. You can also take a ferry and experience the fishing village Ona.

    • Solnedgang på Alnes sett frå fjellet med person som står framme på fjellet.

      Giske & Alnes

      Experience life along the coast of Sunnmøre at close range, just as fascinating in summer and winter alike. Getting to Giske is easy, as is getting to other historic coastal destinations like Ålesund, Ona and Runde.

    • Geirangerfjorden sett frå Skageflå. Utsikt til Dei Sju Systre

      Geiranger

      Few places can boast such beautiful and unspoiled nature. The Geirangerfjord is inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.