Ålesund: Art Nouveau, city life and the sea
Accommodation in Ålesund
Ålesund stretches across several islands towards the Atlantic and combines city life with the surrounding fjords and mountains. It also has a distinctive Art Nouveau character. You can therefore tailor your trip to different interests: architecture and urban history, experiences related to the sea, or a mix of culture and outdoor activities.
Art Nouveau and urban history
Jugendstilsenteret is a museum and national centre for Art Nouveau. Authentic interiors, objects and temporary exhibitions present the style in different ways: you can take in the rooms, look at individual items and explore changing exhibitions. Those with a particular interest in design will find a clear thematic focus here.
KUBE is also part of Ålesund’s cultural scene. It is housed in the former branch building of Norges Bank, built in 1906, in the city centre. The exhibition on the 1904 town fire explores another facet of the city’s history: it includes a model of Ålesund as it looked before the fire. The Fisheries Museum, in turn, covers the historical development of fishing and onshore processing. Architecture, urban history and the history of fishing are therefore presented as distinct topics to explore.
Aalesunds Museum offers guided tours on several historical topics, including fishing, the 1904 town fire and a well-known resistance fighter from the Second World War. If you would like to learn more about these subjects, you can include them as a dedicated cultural stop in your plans.
Experience the sea: from the canal to the open coast
You can explore the Brosundet canal in central Ålesund by kayak. SVAI Sauna Molja is a floating sauna on Brosundet in the heart of the city, where you can swim in the sea all year round. These offer different ways to make the most of the water during your stay: explore the canal by kayak or visit the sauna, with the option of sea swimming throughout the year.
No prior experience is required for sailing trips on the Storeggen of Aalesund. This may make the activity appealing to travellers who would like to try sailing without any previous experience. The Wildlife Sea Safari offers a different perspective: from Ålesund, passengers travel along the open coast in an RIB and can look out for white-tailed eagles and seals. Other wildlife can also be spotted along the Sunnmøre coast.
There is also a specific excursion destination on land: Aksla can be reached from central Ålesund via 418 steps from Byparken to Fjellstua. If you plan to take this route, you can factor the stair climb into your day. Atlanterhavsparken offers interactive and educational experiences related to the sea. It is located in Tueneset, 3 km from the city centre—a useful reference point when deciding where to stay.
Getting there, local flavours and where to stay
An airport bus connects Ålesund Airport with Ålesund city centre. If you are arriving by air, this is a practical option to consider when planning your journey and where to stay.
Klippfisk is also part of the local character: XL Diner focuses on Norwegian klippfisk, or dried and salted fish. If you are interested in food culture, you can add this speciality to your plans alongside museums, urban history and experiences by the sea. This makes it possible to choose a holiday apartment based on the aspects of Ålesund you are most keen to discover, without limiting your stay to a single theme.
Other places in the destination area include Ålesund and Ellingsøy.
For the broader travel overview: More Og Romsdal.
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