12 Best Things To Do In Alesund, Norway - Updated 2024

Mehak
Mehak 
Updated
| 5 min read

Driving around town means getting spellbound by the gorgeous fjords and the marvelous architecture, Ålesund is spread over seven different islands in Norway’s Møre og Romsdal county and most are connected via undersea tunnels. Whether you’re an art, history, and culture enthusiast, an adventure sports junkie or maybe both, this place has a lot (and more) to offer you! The food too is nothing short of a treat especially if you have a sweet tooth because the delicacies here are superb! It’s easy to fall in love with Alesund!

1. Soak in the beautiful scenery at Aksla Viewpoint

Seguimos hoy con Alesund...

Posted by Hector Carbonell on Thursday, 13 July 2017

From this point atop Mount Aksla, prepare to be enchanted by the beautiful scenery on seeing Alesund from the top, you get an unbeatable panoramic view of the Archipelago, the town center, and the Sunnmore Alps. There’s a cafe on top as well for you to munch on something while you enjoy the view. You can reach the top on foot by climbing approximately 418 steps that start from the town park or by the taking tourist train or bus. It is also called the Fjellstua viewpoint.

Aksla Viewpoint

Address: Aksla Mountain, 6002 Alesund, Norway

Contact Number : +47 70 10 74 00

Know More: Aksla Viewpoint

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2. Explore marine life at Atlantic Sea Park

Atlantic Sea Park, Ålesund
Source: Photo by user AdamKR used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Among the largest saltwater aquariums in Europe, this aquarium pulls in fresh seawater from the ocean and doesn’t use treated water at all. The building, only a seven-minute drive from downtown, is built into the coastline and is crisscrossed with scenic walking trails while being surrounded by a mountain and a beach. Including around eleven large aquariums along with two open touch pools and two activity pools, it makes for a great place to learn about Norway’s diverse marine life and allows kids some interactive opportunities with marine life.

Visitor’s Speak : “It was a great adventure, especially this part with the diving show and touching the underwater creatures. Seal feeding is also quite a show! I liked it!” (Kazia Walczack on Facebook)

Atlantic Sea Park

Address: Tueneset, 6006 Alesund, Norway

Contact Number: +47 70 10 70 60

Visit: Atlantic Sea Park Website

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3. Be charmed and visit the Alnes Lighthouse

Light my way
Source: Photo by Flickr user Christel PI used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Alnes is a tiny isolated town on the island of Godoya, a thirty-minute drive from Alesund. In order to get there, you will have to drive through a couple of undersea tunnels and then a one-way tunnel that cuts through a mountain, making for some interesting sights along the way that will make the drive worth it. The impressive views of the ocean and coastline on reaching are no less of a delight. This peaceful escape has a cafe and a museum. Additionally, Godoy is famous for its Mount Storhornet.

Alnes Lighthouse

Address: Alnesgard, 6055 Godøy, Norway

Know More: Alnes Lighthouse

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4. Delve into history at the Alesund Museum

Foto: Marit Brunstad

Posted by Aalesunds Museum og Fiskerimuseet on Thursday, 1 June 2017

Located in the heart of the town center, this site has a harbor view and a museum park. The museum provides some great insight into the national history and culture through pictures and artifact exhibits. There are exhibits of the great town fire in 1904, fisheries, regional boats, and exhibits from World War II.

Alesund Museum

Address: Rasmus Roennebergs gate 16 | 6002 Alesund, Norway

Contact Number : +47 70 16 48 42

Website: Alesund Museum

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5. Spot beautiful birdlife at the Runde Island

3puffins
Source: Photo by user Hanno used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Runde Island is the most southerly seabird cliff in Norway and is a nesting place for over five lakh birds. It is home to over two hundred different species of birds and among its most famous inhabitants are puffins.

Runde Island

Address: Runde Miljøsenter, 6096 Runde 7 Godøy

Website: Runde Island

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6. Make sure to check out the Sunnmore Musuem

Posted by Sunnmøre Museum on Thursday, 21 May 2015

This open air museum founded in 1931 is a collection of rustic and traditional Norwegian houses. It encompasses around fifty houses and forty boats from the eleventh to the sixteenth century and houses other artifacts as well that depict the history and culture of the region as well as exhibits that give insight into the lives of people from the Stone Age up to present day.

Visitor’s Speak: “Such a fun museum. Everyone was nice and welcoming. We even had the opportunity to make Viking bread on an open fire.” (Maricela Perdomo on Facebook)

Sunnmore Musuem

Address: Museumsvegen 1 | Borgundgavlen, 6015 Alesund, Norway

Contact Number: +47 70 16 48 70

Visit: Sunnmore Museum Website

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7. Explore the Art Nouveau History

Norway - Alesund - view from Aksla
Source: Photo by Flickr user Harshil Shah used under CC BY-ND 2.0

With almost the whole of Ålesund burnt down during a fire in 1904, over fifty architects from all over the country were brought in after to design the new city. The city was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style of architecture (which incorporates natural forms and soft lines) and this style is reflected all over. Buildings have ornate balconies, spires, and decorative archways and doors. The architecture of the town is rather interesting to explore.

Art Nouveau Centre

Address: Apotekergata 16, 6004 Alesund, Norway

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8. Have your cake and eat it too

Mmmmm󾌵. Grovkake sammen med venninne Ragnhild ☕

Posted by Ellen Anita Holst on Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Make sure to try a piece of the traditional Norwegian cake which is called “Kvæfjordkake” and also nicknamed “The World’s Best Cake.” It can be found at a number of cafes in downtown Alesund. Also try the “Svele,” which is a crescent-shaped butter cake that looks like a pancake, from the café at Aksla Viewpoint.

Cakes and other delicacies

Martin Walderhaug Bakery is located across the street from the tourist office

Apotekeren Café is located in the Art Nouveau Centre

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9. Sailing trip in Ålesund

Ålesund Port on the Queen Elizabeth Ship (Norway Fjord Cruise) (6003206491)
Source: Photo by user Tom Bayly used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Experience the entire south shore of the town along with the adjoining islands, traveling in a traditional wooden boat designed by Chris Jensen in 1929 that can be found exclusively in Norway. The views of the water and the Sunnmore Alps coupled with the stories and information from a professional guide are sure to make this trip an experience that’s well worth it. You might even be able to do some fishing, provided the weather conditions allow it. The tour is not recommended for participants with back problems and pregnant women.

Sailing trip in Ålesund

Departure Point: Nørvevika Sail Club Harbor

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.

Duration : Two hours

For Bookings, visit:

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10. Go hiking (from USD 176.0)

Mountains, Alesund
Source: Pixabay

There are a number of hiking tours to choose from in and around Alesund. Here are the most popular ones.

Hiking Mount Slogen An eight-hour hike to the top of Mount Slogen, this is a fairly demanding trip as the peak makes for one among Norway’s finest summits for hiking. The view atop is absolutely breathtaking. All necessary equipment is included

Hiking to Mount Saska This six-hour tour is perfect for all ages and skill levels. From the top, you’ll see all the way into the end of Hjorundfjorden in one direction and out to Alesund in the other, giving you the best fjord panorama.

Mount Slogen

Departure Point: Stranda City, Ålesund, Øye, or whatever suits you

Departure Time : As requested

Fee : 137.96 USD

For Bookings, visit:

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Hiking to Mount Saksa from Urke

Duration: 5 hours

1 review

11. Take the Alesund Shore Excursion: From fjords to trolls (from USD 184.0)

Alesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls
Source: Viator

This full day excursion costing 169 USD involves driving along the spectacular fjords, visiting the villages of Sjøholt and Valldal and experiencing the stomach-churningly steep Troll Road along with taking in the breathtaking view of the Stigfossen waterfall, Gudbrandsjuvet ravine and lots more. This excursion includes lunch. The entire tour lasts for about eight hours.

Visitor’s Speak: “Our tour guide Anita and our driver and #39;B and #39; were absolutely incredible. They made the journey and the tour so comfortable and pleasant. Even though 8 hours may seem like a long time, it completely flew by. Brilliant trip, would definitely recommend to anyone staying in Alesund!” - Victoria J (Viator)

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Alesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls

Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes

225 reviews

12. Explore the city on a kayak (from USD 86.0)

Posted by Kayak More Tomorrow on Sunday, 21 May 2017

A two and a half hour trip on a kayak in the heart of the town allows you to explore this architectural delight of a town. Both single and double kayaks are available, as are certified kayak guides. All equipment costs are included.

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Alesund Architecture-Themed Kayak Tour

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Pack your bags!

The place is a fairy-tale town, picture-perfect in every way and replete with interesting shops, cute little cafes and cosmopolitan bars, besides having some really tourist-friendly residents! If you’re planning a trip to Norway anytime soon, missing out on Alesund is something you would regret.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Mehak is a young student from India majoring in Finance. Travelling is something that has always fascinated her, she intends to solo travel the world. She enjoys reading about anything and...Read more

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