NO · Møre og Romsdal · 62.47°N 6.15°E

ålesund

Art Nouveau turrets, island harbours and a stairway to views over the town.

Best time
May–September has long days for the viewpoints and boat trips. Summer can still be wet and windy; winter is dark, wet and stormy.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Oslo, usually via Amsterdam, Doha or Istanbul (about 16–18 hours all in), then about an hour on to Ålesund. The airport bus takes about 25 minutes into town. Norway is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
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NO · Møre og Romsdalålesund62.47°N 6.15°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Art Nouveau turrets, island harbours and a stairway to views over the town.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingÅlesundNO, Møre og Romsdal
KLålesund
≈ 9,982 km from KL, as the crow flies
View on Ålesund from Mt. Aksala

Photo: Ysgrimor · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Ålesund burned down in 1904 and was rebuilt within a few years in Art Nouveau style, so the whole centre is turrets, curves and decorated façades. It sits on islands, with mountains and fjords all around.

Makan

  1. BacalaoSalt cod stewed with tomatoes, potatoes and olive oil, a legacy of the town's fish trade with Spain and Portugal.Map ↗
  2. SveleThick, soft pancakes folded with butter and sugar or brown cheese.Map ↗
  3. Fish soupLocal fish in a warming, creamy soup.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Art Nouveau centreStreets of turrets, carved details and pastel façades along the harbour canal.Map ↗
  2. Aksla418 steps up from the town park to the classic view over the islands.Map ↗
  3. JugendstilsenteretThe Art Nouveau Centre, telling the story of the fire and the rebuilding.Map ↗
  4. Atlantic Sea-ParkA big aquarium of North Atlantic sea life, by the shore just outside town.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The 418 steps up Aksla are steep but have benches along the way, and a road goes to the top too.
  • Halal meat is hard to find, so lean on fish and the bacalao, and self-cater for the rest.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.