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

The Atlantic Ocean Park in Ålesund

Ålesund

The Atlanterhavsparken is one of the most particular Aquariums in Europe. The Aquarium is built into the coastal landscape at Tueneset, the coastline west in Ålesund. Study the large landscape tanks that unfiltrted shows life in sea along the Norwegian coast and in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the Norwegian Aquarium.

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

Plan your trip to Sunnmøre and visit well-known destinations such as Ålesund, Geiranger, Trollstigen, Ona and Runde. Find information about how to get to and around our region here.

Getting to and around Ålesund & Sunnmøre

Eat and sleep

  • Hotel Brosundet ligger langs vannkanten i Brosundet.

    Accommodation

    Brosundet

    Ålesund

    Brosundet - where history meets modern comfort.

  • Hotell med spir og mange vindu rett ved sjøen i Ålesund.

    Accommodation

    Quality Hotel Ålesund

    Ålesund

    The Quality Hotel Ålesund boasts a central location near the harbour within easy reach of shops, restaurants and nightlife.

  • 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.

  • Utsikten fra Alnes fyr ut mot havet

    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.

  • Vinter i Geiranger. Utsikt frå Flydalsjuvet

    Geiranger

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