Alesund
Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Ålesund
Famous for its magnificent Art Nouveau architecture, the city of Ålesund is one of Norway's most popular tourist destinations. Not only is it blessed with one of those picture-perfect Norwegian settings, surrounded by fjords and the high peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, it has also benefited from the addition of many new cultural and entertainment attractions, byproducts of the incredible increase in wealth the nation has experienced in recent years.
Ålesund is also the most important fishing harbor in Norway, and serves as a great jumping-off point for boat tours, fjord cruises, and fishing adventures.
Straddling the islands of Nørvøy and Aspøy, Ålesund's architectural splendor is the result of a massive fire in 1904 that destroyed 800 of the town's old timber houses. Determined that it wouldn't happen again, town officials took measures to rebuild the city in stone, brick, and plaster, a task given to the country's top master builders and architects. This forward thinking led to the construction of more than 320 Art Nouveau buildings in a compact central area, creating Europe's most complete Art Nouveau cityscape.
Plan your sightseeing with our list of the top things to do in Ålesund.
1. Explore Art Nouveau Ålesund
Art Nouveau Ålesund
The picture-perfect Art Nouveau heart of Ålesund, with its stunning architecture, towers, turrets, and other imaginative ornamentation, really needs to be explored on foot. For a fascinating insight into the city's architecture, the top things to do here include tagging along with an organized walking tour or picking up an informative guide from a tourist office or bookstore.
Better still, head straight for the interactive displays and exhibits at the Art Nouveau Center (Jugendstilsenteret). Built in 1905 as a pharmacy, the building—the first in Ålesund to be listed—now serves as a visitor center and museum that includes the town's best-preserved Art Nouveau interior, as well as fascinating multimedia exhibitions and displays relating to the town's rich history. Guided tours are available, as well as a great cafe and shop.
The neighboring KUBE art museum is also worth a visit and is home to a number of interesting displays related to the town's architecture, as well as artworks.
2. Ålesund Harbor
Ålesund Harbor
Ålesund's harbor lies between the islands of Nørvøy and Aspøy, and is sheltered by the Skansen peninsula. As wonderful as it is wandering around and admiring the architecture—the picturesque harbor includes many older buildings once used by fishermen—you'll be tempted to sit awhile and simply watch the boat traffic come and go in this busy port area.
Not only is the harbor home to one of Europe's largest fishing fleets, it's also a stop on the Hurtigruten route, the fast coastal service connecting all of Norway. It has also become a popular destination for cruise ships.
3. Walking around Ålesund's Town Park
Ålesund Town Park
When you're done with all that exploring, take a walk up the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla for an unforgettable panoramic view of the city below, an awesome sight and one of the top free things to do in Ålesund day or night. Part of beautiful Ålesund Town Park, the stairs and grounds were laid out in 1885 by a local gardener, who drew inspiration from the area's topography.
The park is also home to two statues of men connected to Ålesund: one portrays Kaiser Wilhelm II and commemorates Germany's assistance after the devastating fire of 1904; the other is of Gange-Rolf, a local Viking hero connected to William the Conqueror and presented to the town by the city of Rouen in 1911.
4. Atlantic Sea-Park
Atlantic Sea-Park
A great place to learn about Norway's diverse marine life, the Atlantic Sea-Park (Atlanterhavsparken)—one of the largest saltwater aquariums in northern Europe—is just a short shuttle bus ride form the town center and provides a fascinating look at life under the sea. Established in 1951 and built into the coastline, this spectacular family attraction is crisscrossed with numerous scenic walking trails allowing many great vistas of its fishy inhabitants.
All told, the facility's exhibition area includes 11 large aquariums, as well as open touch pools and activity pools. If you can, try to time your visit to catch the daily fish feeding in the million-gallon Great Atlantic tank.
If you're traveling with kids, get in on the fun with the public fish feeding experience held each weekend. Another highlight is the four-million-gallon seal tank, Selbukta, the largest of its kind in the world. There's also a gift shop and cafe on-site.
5. Take a Fjord Cruise in Hjørundfjord
Hjørundfjord
Stretching 32 kilometers south from Ålesund, Hjørundfjord is surrounded by the stunning Sunnmøre Alps mountain range, which in places rises dramatically out of the fjord to heights of 1,706 meters. This heavily wooded fjord's impressive scenery can best be explored by water, whether aboard a boat for a cruise or a fun paddle in a kayak. And if you can find it, grab a photo of you and travel partners enjoying the now famous Hjørundfjord swing, a humble wood affair that just so happens to provide the most remarkable views over the fjord.
A number of fun cruise options are available, stopping at places such as Hotel Union Øye, an exquisitely preserved hotel in the small village of Øye. A favorite since 1891 among Europe's elite, the 27-room hotel has been fully restored and is a great place for a meal or as a base from which to explore attractions such as the Sunnmøre Museum in Borgundgavlen, an open-air collection of historic homes and buildings. Hjørundfjord is also popular among hikers, and offers a variety of great camping options near the shoreline.
6. Visit Runde, the Bird Island
Runde Island
A short distance southwest of Ålesund, on the island of Runde, is the most southerly seabird cliff in Norway. Known to many as "B bird island," this remarkable site serves as the nesting-place for some 500,000 birds. Included in the tiny island's 220 different species of birds are its most famous inhabitants, the puffins, drawn here by the plentiful supply of fish that spawn close to the island each year.
The island also operates an interesting Environmental Center with exhibits related to Runde's bird population, as well as the area's many historic shipwrecks. One of the best things to do is join an organized tour of the island, with options including high-speed boats or more leisurely tours led by experts in the field that allow plenty of time for bird-watching.
7. Godøy and the Alnes Lighthouse
Godøy and the Alnes Lighthouse
The island of Godøy is a popular excursion just a 30-minute drive from Ålesund, as famous for its 497-meter mountain, Storhornet, as it is for its old lighthouse. One of the top things to do here is visit the Alnes Lighthouse, located near the quaint fishing village from which it takes its name, (Alnes fyr og opplevelsessenter). Built in 1876, the lighthouse's galley and tower are open for tourists from May through October, and the old keeper's house has a museum, café, and an exhibition hall with displays of art by local artists.
While on the island, be sure to also visit the Godøy Coastal Museum, with its archaeological exhibitions and Viking-era displays.
8. Explore the Sunnmøre Museum
One of the top things to do when visiting Ålesund—and by far the best way to learn more about this lovely region of Norway—is to spend time exploring the many interesting museums dotted around the surrounding region. Topping the list is the excellent Sunnmøre Museum, an open-air museum an easy drive away from downtown Ålesund, which includes a collection of 55 traditional Norwegian buildings, plus a number of boats, including replicas of Viking ships, as well as original artifacts related to the region's cultural and social history.
Also worth a visit, the Ålesund Museum focuses on the town's history as a fishing port, as well as dealing with the fire of 1904 and the German occupation during WW2. Afterwards, head to the Fisheries Museum, notable for its fascinating displays relating to the impact and importance of fishing and fish processing, along with a number of original fishing boats that can be explored.
Other interesting area museums include the Nature Museum in nearby Sykkylven, popular for its displays relating to native animal and plant species, as well as the interesting Furniture Museum, which pays homage to the region's rich history and traditions of furniture making.
9. The Ivar Aasen Center
The Ivar Aasen Center (Ivar Aasen-tunet) is located on the very farm where the famous poet/playwright/philosopher was born in 1813. Revered as the creator of Nynorsk—a language based on Norwegian dialects—Aasen's home is now the country's national Nynorsk documentation and experience center. Designed by architect Sverre Fehn, the building is an attraction in itself, and hosts the annual Festival of New Norwegian Literature, Art, and Music held in the last week of June every year. The site boasts a great cafe plus a gift shop. English language guided tours are available.
(thanks to: www.planetware.com)
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