Ålesund, Norway

City center

The new look of Ålesund was shaped by the World’s Fair in Paris held not long before. After it, Art Nouveau style came into fashion. Following its principles, Ålesund was built. This unique city is entirely built in Art Nouveau (also known as modern or Jugendstil). That’s why Ålesund’s architecture sometimes echoes the cities of Central Europe. In Ålesund, you should simply stroll around. You don’t need to, checking a map, search for sights-just walk aimlessly along the streets, wherever your heart leads you. Small, tidy houses, as if put together by a child from colored paper and matchboxes. The oldest district in the city is Molla. Here, wooden buildings from 1855 and an old lighthouse from the 19th century have been preserved.

Ancient church

This is the first Olisunn Church, built in 1854. However, during the 1904 fire, it was completely destroyed. In July 1906, King Haakon VII laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new church, which opened in 1909. The church houses an organ donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The outer walls are made of Nordmøre stone.

Atlantic Marine Park

A visit to the “Atlantic Ocean Park”, located on the west side of Hessa Island, 3 kilometers from Alesund, may take up your entire day. It is one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe. The aquarium opened in 1998 and for almost 15 years has been introducing its visitors to the underwater world of the North Atlantic and the inhabitants of Norwegian fjords. The main attraction here is feeding the fish and penguins. This usually takes place at 13:00 and 15:30: park staff immerse themselves in the water, and the fish eat right from their hands (penguins are fed at 14:30). In the area around the park, there are several hiking trails, beaches, and diving spots, which you can combine with a visit to the Alesund aquarium.

Mount Aksla

Rising above Ålesund is the Axe Mountain, which locals consider the most beautiful place in the city. From a height of 130 meters you can look down and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the archipelago, the city center, and the Sunnmøre Alps. To take in this spectacle, you first need to climb 418 steps of the staircase that runs from the city park. It was laid out here in 1885. At the top of the mountain is one of the oldest restaurants in Ålesund, called «Fjellstua». There, you can combine a tasting of fish dishes with admiring the beauty of the city.

Sunnmøre Ethnographic Museum

In the area, five kilometers from Mount Aksla, there was one of the first settlements-“Borgunkaupangen”. It was founded in 1050 and reached its peak in the 1300s. About 2,000 people lived here. The village was an important trading market for the Sunnmøre region, and the fishing industry especially flourished here. Moreover, it was the center of religious life, as there were 4 Christian villages located here. By the early 1400s, the population had completely died out due to a plague epidemic, and the town was left empty. Today, this site is home to Norway’s well-known open-air ethnographic museum “Sunnmøre”, where more than 50 traditional Norwegian village houses from the 16th-21st centuries are collected. An exhibit of ancient vessels is also housed here.

Excursion tram

To take an exciting excursion to the most interesting places, it’s enough to board a cozy, comfortable sightseeing tram at Queen Sonja Square and set off on a journey along the Borgunfjorden, right to the viewpoint at Mount Aksla, where you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding landscapes. On the way back, the tram follows the historic route past the only building that survived the 1904 fire, as well as a picturesque park that locals love to stroll through.

Runde Island

South of the archipelago where Ålesund is located lies Runde Island. It is best known for the huge colony of seabirds that live here. The island’s towering cliffs are home from February to August to more than 500,000 feathered birds, representing around 230 different species. The most popular way to explore and observe the birds on Runde is by boat excursions. The boats depart five times a week from the Skanseskai quay near the Brosundet Channel. In addition, Runde is also known as the “island of treasures”: in 1725, the Dutch ship “Akerendam” sank here carrying a ton of gold and silver coins onboard. Since then, the island has been a popular destination for divers.

City sightseeing tour

Built in the Art Nouveau style, Ålesund is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in Norway. Its whimsical architecture is among the most magnificent sights in the country. At the Ålesund Museum, you’ll learn about the city’s history, see what Ålesund looked like before a devastating fire, and discover the huge efforts made by local residents to put out the blaze. In addition, there is an Art Nouveau Centre in the city. The centre’s exhibition explains how the Art Nouveau style was used both to shape the look of Ålesund and to design interiors and furniture. And by climbing 418 steps, you’ll reach the top of Mount Aksla, from where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the archipelago and the city centre, familiar to many from postcards and magazine publications.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, please check after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.