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First-timersThe art nouveau harbour.
Ålesund city guide
Things To Do In Ålesund
A town rebuilt in art nouveau after a fire in 1904, spread across islands at the mouth of the fjords, with the Geirangerfjord and puffins on Runde within reach.
1904
The fire
418
Steps up Aksla
Geiranger
A day trip away
The art nouveau town
In January 1904, a fire destroyed almost the whole of Ålesund, leaving 10,000 people homeless. It was rebuilt in three years, in stone, in the art nouveau style of the time, and the result is one of the most complete art nouveau towns in Europe, with turrets, spires and carved facades along the harbour.
The town is spread across islands on the coast, with the Sunnmøre Alps rising behind it and some of Norway's most famous fjords close by. The Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Trollstigen road are a day trip away.
Two or three days is right: one for the town, and one or two for the fjords.
Where to stay
The centre is small and walkable. Stay near the harbour.
Aksla
ViewsThe hill above the town.
Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Ålesund
Walk the streets around the harbour and Kongens gate for the art nouveau architecture. The Jugendstilsenteret, the Art Nouveau Centre, tells the story of the fire and the rebuilding.
Climb the 418 steps up Aksla for the view over the town, the islands and the mountains; it is one of the best views in Norway.
The Atlantic Sea Park, one of Scandinavia's largest aquariums, is on the coast outside the centre.
The Geirangerfjord, with its waterfalls, is a long day trip by car, bus or boat in season. The bird island of Runde has puffins from April to August.
Free things
Free things to do in Ålesund
The art nouveau streets and the harbour are free.
The 418 steps up Aksla and the view from the top are free.
The coastal walks are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Ålesund
Ålesund is a fishing town, and klippfisk, dried and salted cod, is its traditional export. Bacalao, a stew of salt cod, is the local dish.
Supermarkets are the budget answer. A restaurant main is €30 to €45.
Nightlife
Going out in Ålesund
Ålesund is a small town with a handful of bars around the harbour, livelier at weekends and in summer.
A beer is €10 to €13.
Getting around
Getting around Ålesund
The centre is walkable. Buses run from Vigra Airport in about twenty-five minutes.
There is no railway; the nearest line ends at Åndalsnes, with buses connecting. The coastal ship calls here.
For Geiranger and Trollstigen, a car, bus or boat in season is needed.
Costs
What Ålesund costs
Ålesund is expensive. A careful day is €70 to €90.
The costs that add up are fjord trips and car hire.
The currency is the Norwegian krone, and Norway is close to cashless: cards work everywhere. Prices here are euro equivalents.
Safety
Staying safe in Ålesund
Ålesund is very safe.
Mountain roads such as Trollstigen are closed in winter, and narrow in summer. Drive carefully and check road status.
Emergency numbers are 112 for police, 113 for ambulance and 110 for fire.
Day trips from Ålesund
The famous fjords and roads of the west.
Geirangerfjord
The UNESCO fjord and its waterfalls.
Trollstigen
The hairpin mountain road.
Runde
A bird island with puffins from April to August.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Norwegian Food Festival takes over the town in August.
August
Norwegian Food Festival
Alesund
A festival of Norwegian food and cooking.
May to September
Fjord season
Geiranger
When the roads and boats run.
When to go
May to September is best. Trollstigen and the Geiranger roads open in summer.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Puffins arrive
May
Good
Jun
Roads open
Jul
Peak
Aug
Food festival
Sep
Good
Oct
Wet
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in kroner locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes fjord trips and car hire.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Ålesund travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
lesund art nouveau?
After a fire in 1904, the town was rebuilt in stone in the art nouveau style of the time.
How do I get to the Geirangerfjord?
By car, bus or boat in season, about two and a half to three hours.
lesund?
ndalsnes, with buses connecting.
How many steps up Aksla?
418, to one of the best views in Norway.
When can I see puffins?
On Runde, from April to August.
How many days do you need?
Two or three.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September.
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