Top places to visit in Ålesund

• Mount Aksla (Fjellstua Viewpoint)

  city viewpoint · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The classic Ålesund panorama — climb the 418 steps from the town park (or drive up) to Fjellstua for the view over the Art Nouveau town, islands and Sunnmøre Alps.

• Atlanterhavsparken (Atlantic Sea Park)

  aquarium · about 2 h · entry kr220 (≈ ₹2,200)

  One of Northern Europe's largest saltwater aquariums, built into the coastal rocks west of town, with a huge North Atlantic tank and daily diver feedings.

• Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret)

  design museum · about 1 h · entry kr130 (≈ ₹1,300)

  A museum in a preserved 1907 pharmacy telling how Ålesund was rebuilt in Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style after the 1904 fire, with original interiors.

• Brosundet & Town Centre

  waterfront district · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The canal at the heart of Ålesund, framed by turreted Art Nouveau facades and old fishing warehouses now turned into hotels, cafés and restaurants.

• Sunnmøre Museum

  open-air museum · about 1.5 h · entry kr150 (≈ ₹1,500)

  An open-air museum with over 50 historic houses and a fleet of traditional boats on the site of a medieval trading post at Borgundgavlen.

• Geirangerfjord

  unesco fjord · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A UNESCO World Heritage fjord of sheer walls, hairpin roads and waterfalls including the Seven Sisters — a spectacular day excursion from Ålesund by boat or road.

• Alnes Lighthouse (Godøy)

  lighthouse · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A red-and-white 1876 lighthouse on the island of Godøy, reached by undersea tunnel, with a café and a sweeping ocean horizon popular at sunset.

Things to do

• Geirangerfjord Cruise & Coach Tour Sightseeing · 9 h · from NOK 1,500 per person
• Atlantic Road Scenic Tour Sightseeing · 8 h · from NOK 1,400 per person
• Mount Aksla Guided Walk Nature · 1.5 h · from NOK 250 per person
• RIB Fjord Safari Adventure · 2 h · from NOK 950 per person
• Alnes Lighthouse & Godøy Island Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from NOK 700 per person

Day trips and tours

• Geirangerfjord Full-Day Tour 9 h · from NOK 1,500

Where to stay in Ålesund

• Sentrum about NOK 1,800 per night

  The Art Nouveau centre of Ålesund around the Brosundet canal, with hotels, cafés and the Aksla steps.

Hotels

• Scandic Parken 4-star · NOK 1,500 to NOK 2,800 per night
• Quality Hotel Waterfront 4-star · NOK 1,500 to NOK 2,900 per night
• Thon Hotel Ålesund 3-star · NOK 1,200 to NOK 2,200 per night
• Scandic Scandinavie 3-star · NOK 1,200 to NOK 2,300 per night
• Ålesund Vandrerhjem (Hostel) 2-star · NOK 400 to NOK 1,200 per night
• Hotel Brosundet 4-star · NOK 2,200 to NOK 4,800 per night

Where to eat

• Apotekergata No. 5 New Nordic, Seafood · about NOK 1,100 per person
• XL Diner Seafood, Norwegian · about NOK 550 per person
• Anno Restaurant & Bar New Nordic, Bistro · about NOK 480 per person
• Lyst Bistro Bistro, Norwegian · about NOK 450 per person
• Invit Espressobar Cafe · about NOK 180 per person
• Egon Ålesund International, Pizza · about NOK 280 per person

Getting to Ålesund

Airport: Ålesund (AES)

How visitors arrive in Ålesund

• Flight into Alesund Airport, Vigra By air from Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Europe · common

  The airport is linked to the city by undersea tunnels; Wikivoyage calls the city the natural starting point for visitors arriving by air or sea. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Hurtigruten coastal ship By ferry from Bergen / Trondheim · common

  The Hurtigruten coastal express calls in each direction between Bergen and Kirkenes; cruise ships also dock in the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Long-distance coach By road from Oslo / Trondheim / Bergen · common

  Coaches run from Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen, and regional buses from Molde, Kristiansund and Volda. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive on the E136 By road from Dombas / Andalsnes · possible

  The E136 ends in Alesund, starting from Dombas on the E6. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Andalsnes plus bus By train from Andalsnes · possible

  The railway never reached Alesund; trains stop at Andalsnes with a replacement bus onward. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport bus from Vigra

  An airport coach meets flights and runs to the city centre, continuing to Moa; online booking is via vybuss.com. Source: vy.no

• Taxi from the airport

  Taxis are available at the airport; the bus is the usual choice for the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• Hurtigruten and cruise ships

  Cruise ships use quays close to the centre (Storneskaia, Stornespiren or Prestebrygga, depending on the ship); the main sights are a walk away. Check your ship's schedule for the berth. Source: fjordnorway.com

Getting around

• Bus

  Nettbuss runs the city buses from a station near the cruise terminal, and airport buses connect the centre with Alesund Airport on Vigra.

  FRAM app and tickets

• Ferry
• Walking

Best time to visit Ålesund

• Jan 2°C
• Feb 2°C
• Mar 3°C
• Apr 6°C
• May 10°C
• Jun 13°C
• Jul 16°C
• Aug 16°C
• Sep 13°C
• Oct 9°C
• Nov 5°C
• Dec 3°C

More in Norway

• Oslo
• Bergen
• Tromsø
• Flåm
• Stavanger
• Trondheim

Frequently asked questions about Ålesund

What are the main places to visit in Ålesund?

Places covered in our Ålesund guide include Mount Aksla (Fjellstua Viewpoint), Atlanterhavsparken (Atlantic Sea Park), Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret), Brosundet & Town Centre, Sunnmøre Museum.

Where should I stay in Ålesund?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ålesund: Sentrum.

How do I get around Ålesund?

Ways to get around Ålesund covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Walking.

What is the weather like in Ålesund?

Average daytime highs in Ålesund run from 2°C in Feb to 16°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Ålesund?

The nearest airport to Ålesund has the code AES.